[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 23 (Thursday, March 3, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E350-E351]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                PEACE CORPS CELEBRATES 44TH ANNIVERSARY

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                           HON. MARCY KAPTUR

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 3, 2005

  Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Speaker, on March 1st, the Peace Corps celebrated its 
44th anniversary. It is especially fitting in these troubled times that 
we recognize the quiet dedication of the men and women of the Peace 
Corps. Since the inception of the Peace Corps in 1961, more than 
178,000 Peace Corps volunteers have served in 138 countries, promoting 
the Peace Corps' mission of world peace and friendship. Today, the 
program remains phenomenally successful. The Peace Corps has 7,700 
volunteers currently in the field, the highest number in 29 years; 5 of 
those hard working volunteers hail from our 9th District of Ohio.
  The Peace Corps is a cross section of our population; recent college 
graduates work next to retired citizens. Individuals of all races and 
ethnicities devote their time and dedication, giving of themselves to 
help people who are less fortunate.
  The Peace Corps operates in 72 countries. Just recently Peace Corps 
volunteers volunteered in Mexico for the first time, and another 20 
countries have expressed interest in working with the Peace Corps. 
Peace Corps volunteers serve as teachers, business advisors, 
information technology consultants, health and HIV/AIDS educators and 
youth and agriculture workers. These volunteers serve as ambassadors to 
the world, promoting international understanding.
  During National Peace Corps Week we honor all the volunteers past and 
present who have brought help and hope to people in need. Peace Corps 
volunteers serve from Belize to Ghana, Armenia, Mongolia, East Timor 
and beyond. We honor their service and compassion. I especially would 
like to thank

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the volunteers from the 9th District: Gwenna Corvez, Michael Heydt, 
Lenore Johnsen, Bethany Tebbe and Sarah Wilson, who are serving in 
Uzbekistan, Dominican Republic, Ukraine, Togo, and Moldova. You bring 
honor to all of us.

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