[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 24 (Wednesday, March 1, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E244]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  COMMENDING THE PEACE CORPS ON ITS 45TH ANNIVERSARY OF ITS INCEPTION

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. DAN BURTON

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, March 1, 2006

  Mr. BURTON of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this 
opportunity to commend and congratulate the Peace Corps, and its many 
volunteers, on the 45th Anniversary of its inception. During a 1960 
visit to the University of Michigan, then-Senator John F. Kennedy 
challenged students to not only better themselves academically, but to 
serve the call of duty and help promote and facilitate peace throughout 
the globe.
  As a result of this proclamation, the Peace Corps was established 
with the noble goal in mind of promoting peace and friendship between 
the United States and other countries around the world. If President 
Kennedy were alive today, he would no doubt look upon the Peace Corps 
with great pride and admiration for what it has evolved in to: a vessel 
which fosters an in-depth understanding between Americans and the 
indigenous peoples of the countries in which they serve, helping the 
rest of us to better understand a plethora of different customs, 
traditions and ways of life.
  Since its founding 45 years ago, more than 182,000 Peace Corps 
Volunteers have been invited by 138 host countries to help countless 
individuals who want to build a better life for themselves, their 
children, and their communities. Whether empowering seemingly helpless 
people to take control of their own lives, assisting with AIDS relief 
in poverty-stricken countries, developing greater business 
opportunities, expanding agriculture development, or--most recently--
coming to the rescue of their own countrymen whose entire lives were 
uprooted by the devastating destruction of Hurricane Katrina, these 
volunteers provide a faithful service to this great Nation, and they 
should be proud of their achievement. And we are certainly proud of 
each and every volunteer and what they represent. In fact, from my own 
district in Indiana, there are currently 20 volunteers who are giving 
their time to this country, away from their families, to help strangers 
make a better life for themselves, and I would personally like to thank 
my fellow Hoosiers for their commitment.
  As we all know, the Peace Corps has made life better for millions of 
people worldwide, and has enriched the lives of the hundreds of 
thousands of Americans who have devoted their time, energy and passion 
into answering the Peace Corps' call to duty. I would respectfully 
encourage my fellow colleagues to congratulate, commend, and encourage 
the continued advancement and success of the Peace Corps and all that 
its volunteers represent.

                          ____________________