[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 28 (Tuesday, March 7, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E287]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   TRIBUTE TO PEACE CORPS VOLUNTEERS

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. SOLOMON P. ORTIZ

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, March 7, 2006

  Mr. ORTIZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Peace Corps as 
it reached its 45th anniversary on March 1, 2006. The Peace Corps is an 
outstanding organization that promotes peace through helping countless 
individuals who want to help build a better life for the community in 
which they serve.
  Since the Peace Corps' inception in 1961, more than 182,000 Peace 
Corps Volunteers have been invited by 138 host countries to work in 
areas such as HIV/AIDS prevention, information technology, business 
development, education, and environmental preservation. The Peace Corps 
also works to empower people in various communities to take charge of 
their futures.
  In addition to serving overseas, the Peace Corps' Crisis Corps 
Volunteers have helped their fellow Americans. In response to 
Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, the Peace Corps deployed approximately 272 
Crisis Corps Volunteers to the Gulf Coast region to assist with 
hurricane response efforts, through an agreement with the Federal 
Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). This deployment of volunteers 
within the U.S. was an historic first for the Peace Corps.
  I would like to take some time now to honor current Volunteers from 
my District who are working on the front lines of humanity: Christina 
M. Burke serving in Nicaragua, Lisa M. Droege serving in Honduras, 
Cibeles Garcia serving in Ghana, Jesse S. Lovegren serving Cameroon, 
Timothy A. Markin serving in Thailand. By engaging in this meaningful 
work, these volunteers are making significant contributions to 
individuals and communities throughout the world. Their family and 
loved ones should be justifiably proud of their service to the Peace 
Corps and the extraordinary way they have changed and improved people's 
lives.
  Today, I ask that my colleagues join me in commemorating the 45th 
anniversary of the Peace Corps and its global mission towards world 
peace and humanitarian aid. The thousands of Volunteers serving 
overseas truly are representative of the honorable cause that defines 
the Peace Corps.

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