[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 32 (Wednesday, February 27, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E254]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          RECOGNIZING THE 47TH ANNIVERSATY OF THE PEACE CORPS

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. MAZIE K. HIRONO

                               of hawaii

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 27, 2008

  Ms. HIRONO. Madam Speaker, I rise today to celebrate National Peace 
Corps Week, February 25-March 3, and recognize the 47 years of 
compassion, hard work, and dedication of our Nation's Peace Corps 
volunteers.
  Following a passionate call to service by President John F. Kennedy, 
more than 190,000 Americans have volunteered their time, labor, and 
personal expertise to the aid of 139 developing nations.
  Today, more than 8,000 Peace Corp volunteers serve in 68 posts in 74 
countries. Ranging from positions in agriculture, business development, 
information technology, education, health and HIV/AIDS, youth, and to 
the environment, volunteers promote global progress while building 
lifelong friendships in their host countries.
  I would like to thank the following Peace Corps volunteers from my 
own district for sacrificing their time in the promotion of our 
Nation's values: Kristel Balbarino, serving Nicaragua; Kevin Kalhoefer, 
serving in Cambodia; Elyse Petersen, serving in Niger; Kevin Schmitz, 
serving in the Dominican Republic; Theodore Yams, serving in Guatemala; 
and Lisa Wasilewski, serving in Namibia. I also want to recognize and 
thank the many Peace Corps alumni who reside in Hawaii. I have many 
friends who are former Peace Corps members. To a person, each has told 
me that their time of service had a major impact on their lives.
  Aloha and mahalo for answering the call for peace in all nations of 
the world.

                          ____________________