[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 27 (Thursday, March 4, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E313]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       NATIONAL PEACE CORPS WEEK

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                         HON. MARK STEVEN KIRK

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 4, 2004

  Mr. KIRK. Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize National Peace Corps 
Week which is being celebrated March 1-7 around the country. National 
Peace Corps Week recognizes the important role the Peace Corps has 
played over the last 43 years and reaffirms our country's commitment to 
the mission of the Peace Corps, as vital today as it was over 40 years 
ago.
  The first Peace Corps volunteers were sent to Ghana in 1961. Since 
then, over 170,000 Peace Corps Volunteers have served in 137 countries 
to promote the Peace Corps' mission of world peace and friendship.
  Last year, the number of individuals applying to serve in the Peace 
Corps rose by 10 percent. These Americans are eager to serve their 
nation by acting as teachers, business advisors, information technology 
consultants, and youth and agriculture workers. These Volunteers 
transfer life-changing knowledge and skills that are valued by the 
people of other nations.
  Currently, more than 7,500 Volunteers are serving in 71 countries 
around the world--this is the highest number of Volunteers in the field 
in 28 years. Today's Peace Corps is more vital than ever, stepping into 
new countries like East Timor, working in emerging and essential areas 
and committing more than 1,000 new Volunteers as a part of President 
Bush's HIV/AIDS Act of 2003. Peace Corps Volunteers continue to help 
countless individuals who want to build a better life for themselves, 
their children, and their communities.
  National Peace Corps Week recognizes all Peace Corps Volunteers, past 
and present. I would specifically like to recognize the forty 
volunteers from my congressional district who are currently serving 
around the globe. These people and all Peace Corps Volunteers have my 
gratitude for committing two years of their life to their country and 
to the spread of democracy through the goals of the Peace Corps.

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