[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 32 (Thursday, February 27, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E317-E318]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        IN HONOR OF NATIONAL PEACE CORPS DAY, FEBRUARY 28TH 2003

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. SAM FARR

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, February 27, 2003

  Mr. FARR. Mr. Speaker, this Friday is National Peace Corps day. All 
over the country, former Peace Corps volunteers are bringing their 
skills, knowledge and experience to

[[Page E318]]

schools and community centers, sharing their experiences from all parts 
of the world.
  Since 1961, more than 168,000 have volunteered in the Peace Corps. I 
was among the first in the mid-sixties. I spent two unforgettable years 
working as a Peace Corps volunteer in Medellin, Colombia. I have 
carried that experience with me ever since.
  National Peace Corps Day will be a day of reflection for me. As I 
think back to my experience--and how it led me into public life and 
ultimately here to the U.S. Congress--I also think of the new 
opportunities for the next generation. I think of the fifteen 
volunteers from my home district who are now all over the world serving 
as Peace Corps volunteers. In particular, I think of Matthew Allen who 
began his service in Thailand last April. I remember him talking to me, 
asking me if going into Peace Corps was the right thing to do. I 
remember telling him that going into Peace Corps would be one of the 
most important decisions of his life.
  It was for Matthew Allen, and thousands like him, that I introduced a 
bill last Congress--the Peace Corps Charter Act for the 21st Century--
to increase the number of volunteers in the Peace Corps. I would like 
every American, who is qualified and wants to serve in the Peace Corps, 
to have the same opportunity that I did.
  I have introduced the bill again this Congress--H.R. 250. Among other 
things, it authorizes sufficient funds to double the number of Peace 
Corps volunteers by 2007. The President shares this goal and I hope 
that he will support this legislation. The bill also calls for the 
Peace Corps to enhance person-to-person contacts with the Middle East. 
It calls for Peace Corps to provide expanded training in HIV/AIDS 
treatment for volunteers in Africa and Asia.
  H.R. 250 also authorizes the creation of a new fund which supports 
the third goal of the Peace Corps--bringing the Peace Corps experience 
home to communities in America. This is exactly the spirit of National 
Peace Corps Day.
  I would ask my colleagues to join me in celebrating Peace Corps today 
and everyday. Contact Returned Peace Corps Volunteers in their 
districts. Ask them to bring the story of Peace Corps to their schools 
and community centers. I would also ask them to support H.R. 250, so 
that everyone who is willing and able will have the opportunity to 
become part of this great American experience.

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