[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 26 (Friday, March 3, 2006)]
[Senate]
[Page S1677]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  45TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE PEACE CORPS

  Mr. HAGEL. Mr. President, I rise today to recognize and honor the 
achievements of the Peace Corps.
  This year marks the 45th Anniversary of the Peace Corps. Over the 
last 45 years, the Peace Corps has been one of the enduring symbols of 
America abroad. The Peace Corps has helped create opportunities and 
hope for people throughout the developing world as it has projected a 
positive image of America.
  In 1961, President John F. Kennedy established the Peace Corps to 
promote world peace and friendship. Since then, over 182,000 Peace 
Corps volunteers have served in 138 countries. These volunteers have 
provided extensive assistance and expertise in agriculture production, 
business development, education, healthcare, and resource 
conservation--making significant improvements in the lives of 
individuals and communities around the world.
  As we continue to face the challenges of the 21st Century, the 
mission of the Peace Corps is more vital than ever. Volunteers continue 
to offer support and development assistance to countries around the 
world. They are finding common ways to address global challenges such 
as endemic poverty and HIV/AIDS.
  Today, Peace Corps volunteers, including 50 from my State of 
Nebraska, bring their communities an enhanced understanding of foreign 
cultures and traditions, building bridges of friendship between people 
that transcend borders, language, and religion.
  I congratulate the Peace Corps on its 45 years of achievement and 
accomplishment and thank the over 182,000 Peace Corps volunteers--
including our Senate colleague Chris Dodd for their good work and 
important contributions to making a better world.
  Thank you.
  (At the request of Mr. Reid, the following statement was ordered to 
be printed in the Record.)
 Mr. BIDEN. Mr. President, I rise today to honor the Peace 
Corps on its 45th Anniversary.
  In his Presidential campaign in 1960, a great hero of mine, President 
John F. Kennedy, challenged a group of students at the University of 
Michigan to serve their country by volunteering their time and energies 
to citizens in developing countries. From those humble beginnings soon 
emerged the Peace Corps which, for the last 45 years, has been one of 
the most valuable and unique institutions of American foreign policy.
  Since its establishment in 1961, over 182,000 Peace Corps volunteers 
have served in 138 countries throughout the world. Today, the Peace 
Corps remains as strong and popular as ever with the number of 
volunteers in service at a 30-year high. Currently some 7,810 
volunteers, including 25 from my home State of Delaware, are working in 
75 countries across the globe.
  These increased numbers of volunteers have done invaluable work in 
recent years. Hundreds of Peace Corps volunteers, for instance, have 
been enlisted in the global fight against HIV/AIDS. The Peace Corps is 
active in 9 of the 15 Emergency Plan countries identified in the 
President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, PEPFAR. In addition, 
volunteers have continued lending their expertise to traditional areas 
such as environmental conservation, education, food production, and 
health care.
  Over the past year, the innovative Crisis Corps--which draws on 
former Peace Corps volunteers for short-term emergency and humanitarian 
assistance--has allowed hundreds of volunteers to assist in tsunami 
relief efforts in Sri Lanka and Thailand. And in recent months, the 
Crisis Corps was deployed to the gulf region in the wake of Hurricane 
Katrina--the first time Peace Corps volunteers have ever been called to 
serve on U.S. soil.
  Through the goodwill and service of its volunteers, the Peace Corps 
also plays a vital role in our public diplomacy efforts. Volunteers 
give a human face to the term ``American,'' bringing personal knowledge 
of our ideals and attitudes to communities all over the world. In doing 
so, they help to erode the deep misconceptions of the United States 
that exist in many cultures. Peace Corps volunteers are truly a top-
notch example of diplomacy through action.
  Again, I congratulate the Peace Corps on its 45th anniversary, and 
convey my deep gratitude to its thousands of current and former 
volunteers for their service to our country.

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