[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 32 (Thursday, February 27, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E338]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  CELEBRATING NATIONAL PEACE CORPS DAY

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                       HON. CAROLYN C. KILPATRICK

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, February 27, 2003

  Ms. KILPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, I rise to celebrate National Peace Corps 
Day on February 28, 2003 and to commend the organization and its 
volunteers for the important work they do around the world. Since 1961, 
more than 168,000 Americans have taken part in this important mission 
to volunteer in 136 countries. This mission is important on many 
levels.
  The idea of the Peace Corps began in my home State of Michigan when 
John F. Kennedy, campaigning for President, proposed the concept in 
October of 1960 to a group of college students in Ann Arbor. He wanted 
to see how many of them would be interested in volunteering in 
developing countries to help in their progress and development. In 
March of 1961, the Peace Corps was established through an executive 
order signed by President Kennedy. Today, more than 40 years later, the 
Peace Corps remains a vital government program that helps to forge 
strong ties with other countries and to promote global peace.
  Peace Corps volunteers give much of themselves during their 
assignment, and on a human level, there can be no greater service than 
helping to improve and making a positive difference in the lives of 
others. As a result of Peace Corps volunteer efforts, the ties between 
American citizens and those in host countries grow and remain strong 
long after the Peace Corps assignment has concluded. I know of no Peace 
Corps volunteer who has returned unchanged or unmoved by the positive 
work they have performed and the wonderful people they have met.
  In my district, currently four volunteers are participating in the 
Peace Corps. They include: Ms. Kathryn L. Donahue placed in Lesotho; 
Mr. Brent J. Hayduk in the Ukraine; Ms. Maureen A. Magee in Gambia; and 
Mr. Seth W. Pickens in Haiti. I am so proud of them and the other 
volunteers across our nation. To all volunteers, past, present, and 
future, I say thank you for your dedication and for the honor you all 
bring to our country.

                     PAYING TRIBUTE TO NANCY NIXON

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                           HON. SCOTT McINNIS

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, February 27, 2003

  Mr. McINNIS. Mr. Speaker, it is with pride that I recognize Mrs. 
Nancy Nixon of Ouray, Colorado. Mrs. Nixon has helped her community in 
many ways, and her love for children is especially evident. She has 
selflessly devoted her time to giving children an opportunity to learn 
for more than twenty years.
  Mrs. Nixon grew up in Kansas City, and lived in Los Angeles, before 
she and her husband, John, moved to the beautiful mountain community of 
Ouray, Colorado in 1975. Nancy and her husband have two children, both 
of whom are attending college. Since she first moved to Ouray more than 
twenty years ago, Mrs. Nixon has not stopped helping her community. In 
1976, just one year after relocating, she was the first president of 
the Friends of the Library. She organized and chaired various community 
events, most notably Ouray Days. Now, Nancy and John and are both 
active with Ouray's Performing Arts Guild and Arts Council. Helping in 
her community seems to come as second nature to Nancy, from coaching 
the Speech Team and working with the swimmers, to organizing the 
community's parades and rummage sales.
  Working with children is one of the many things for which Nancy has a 
special gift. She has been a teacher in all three levels of Ouray's 
School District. She was originally hired to teach middle school, but 
soon after, began to teach at the elementary school level as well. 
Years later, Nancy taught English in the high school, and now she runs 
the Ouray School Library. Using her position in the library as a 
springboard to help children, Mrs. Nixon has created KURA, a non-profit 
radio station broadcast from the school and involving many students. 
She has given many hours of encouragement and support to the kids whom 
she teaches and helps.
  Mr. Speaker, it is with much honor that I recognize Mrs. Nancy Nixon 
before this body of Congress and this nation. Her spirit of caring is 
one that has given many gifts to Colorado, and will continue to do so. 
Ouray is lucky to have such a resource among its citizens.

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