[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 37 (Wednesday, March 29, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E450]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              TRIBUTE TO THE PEACE CORPS' 45TH ANNIVERSARY

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                          HON. ADAM B. SCHIFF

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 29, 2006

  Mr. SCHIFF. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the 45th 
anniversary of the establishment of the Peace Corps.
  On the heels of his historic Inaugural Address, President Kennedy 
signed an Executive Order on March 1, 1961 to establish the Peace Corps 
in order to promote world peace and friendship.
  Over the past 45 years, the Peace Corps has deployed over 182,000 
volunteers to more than 138 nations to work on various important 
issues. At the beginning of the 21st century, the Peace Corps' mission 
remains as relevant as ever with 7,810 volunteers working in 75 
countries to address some of the globe's most pressing challenges, such 
as the HIV/AIDS pandemic. In addition, the Peace Corps has swiftly 
responded to recent natural disasters.
  I recently visited East Timor--the world's newest democracy and one 
of the poorest nations in Asia--as part of my work on the House 
Democracy Assistance Commission. While we were there, we met several 
Peace Corps volunteers and learned about the wonderful work they were 
doing to improve the lives of the people of that new nation. I could 
not have been more impressed with their dedication, compassion, and 
commitment to service.
  I would like to recognize past and present Peace Corps volunteers who 
have made invaluable contributions in all corners of the globe over the 
past 45 years. I am proud to say that 12 of my constituents are 
currently serving overseas as Peace Corps volunteers. They are: Khaled 
Alquaddoomi, Wendy Chien, Jennifer Chow, Nicole Gabriel, Kelly Golden, 
Karen Hamilton, Ibrahim Kalla, Alice Luck, Keenton Luong, Kristina 
Ortiz, Lassana Toure, and Katherine Wang. Let us commend these 
dedicated young Americans--and all of those who have served--for their 
efforts in such a noble task, defined by President Kennedy as 
``bringing to man that decent way of life which is the foundation of 
freedom and a condition of peace.''

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