[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 32 (Wednesday, February 27, 2008)]
[Senate]
[Pages S1265-S1267]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
NATIONAL PEACE CORPS WEEK
Mrs. FEINSTEIN. Mr. President, as a part of National Peace Corps
Week, I wish to join many of my colleagues in celebrating the 47th
anniversary of the Peace Corps and honoring the important work of Peace
Corps volunteers.
During this week, Peace Corps volunteers from around the world who
have served over the years will share their overseas experiences with
schools and community groups around the United States.
By giving presentations during Peace Corps Week, former Peace Corps
volunteers will help Americans better understand the people and
cultures they have experienced, and the many benefits of Peace Corps
service.
By making presentations in classrooms, former volunteers will help
create greater global awareness among students.
The Peace Corps is one of our most effective and successful foreign
aid programs.
Since the establishment of the Peace Corps by President John F.
Kennedy in 1961, more than 190,000 U.S. citizens, including 25,000 from
my home State of California, have served their country in the cause of
peace by living and working in 139 developing countries.
The world has changed since 1961--and the Peace Corps has succeeded
in keeping up with these changes.
While education and agriculture are still an important part of what a
Peace Corp volunteer does, today's volunteers also work on HIV/AIDS
awareness, information technology, and business development.
Many volunteers work in orphanages with HIV-positive children,
implement programs for at-risk youth, and create support groups for
HIV-positive people.
Business volunteers conduct seminars on subjects like marketing,
strategic planning, and tourism development. They work with women and
minority groups to strengthen their participation in the economic
system.
Agriculture volunteers may find themselves working with farmers to
implement techniques to improve soil quality and conserve water--or on
the business end conducting production cost-and-price analyses.
The Peace Corps also assists countries in need by supplying Crisis
Corps volunteers--former volunteers who return to the field on a short-
term basis. In 2005, for the first time in its history, Peace Corps
deployed 272 Crisis Corps volunteers domestically to assist in
Hurricane Katrina relief efforts along the gulf coast.
Also in 2005, Crisis Corps volunteers were deployed to Sri Lanka and
Thailand to assist with rebuilding tsunami devastated areas, and to
Guatemala following Hurricane Stan. As part of PEPFAR, Crisis Corps has
deployed volunteers to Uganda, Kenya, Namibia and Zambia. Finally,
Crisis Corps is working with Peace Corps posts in Central America and
the Caribbean to address disaster preparedness in the region.
Today's Peace Corps is more vital than ever, working in emerging and
essential areas such as information technology and business
development. They have made significant and lasting contributions
around the world in agriculture, education, health, HIV/AIDS, and the
environment.
Peace Corps volunteers continue to help countless individuals who
want to build a better life for themselves, their children, and their
communities.
At a time when the United States is seeking to reclaim the respect
and admiration of the world and once again be seen as a champion and a
leader of democracy, justice, and human rights, Peace Corps volunteers
revitalize faith in this country.
They are leaders and diplomats, and they serve as an inspiration not
only to their fellow American citizens but to citizens all across the
world.
I urge all my colleagues to support the Peace Corps and celebrate
National Peace Corps Week.
Mr. SMITH. Mr. President, I rise today to commemorate National Peace
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Corps Week and to recognize the 47th anniversary of this distinguished
organization. Since 1961, the Peace Corps has dispatched over 190,000
volunteers to promote a greater understanding between the United States
and the rest of the world.
As part of National Peace Corps Week, returning volunteers will be
visiting Washington for several days of events. Many of them will use
this opportunity to share their experiences in local classrooms. I
heartily applaud these fine men and women for their initiative in
seeking to make the world a better place to live and for the positive
impact they have had beyond our borders.
Now more than ever, the work of Peace Corps volunteers is an
important asset within the diplomatic toolbox of the United States.
Their efforts augment official diplomatic acts of our Government and
add a personal dimension which could not be duplicated in any other
way. When a volunteer travels abroad, they provide others with a
glimpse of what it means to be an American and the values we cherish
here at home. I encourage all Americans to make the kind of selfless
contributions these volunteers provide to the international community.
The Peace Corps has proven that individual citizens working together
can promote and strengthen the image of the United States.
Peace Corps volunteers inspire us all, and I am proud to say that 213
volunteers from the State of Oregon are currently serving in over 50
developing countries. These Oregonians complement the thousands of
others who have served in the Peace Corps, and they brighten our hopes
for a better tomorrow. Peace Corps volunteers have shown a level of
dedication and accomplishment that is truly extraordinary. I invite all
Oregonians, and all Americans, to join me this week in commending their
efforts.
Mr. BARRASSO. Mr. President, I wish to acknowledge Peace Corps
volunteers during National Peace Corps Week.
Currently, 25 active U.S. Peace Corps volunteers are from Wyoming.
They have joined a unique organization of people who have taken the
initiative and make the personal commitment to assist those around the
world who are less fortunate.
Peace Corps volunteers are the face of America in many countries.
They are often on the frontline in the most primitive of environments,
working tirelessly with local leaders to build a better future. Their
optimism is often contagious as they assist communities in building
infrastructure, developing resources, and improving basic health care,
education, and business opportunities.
I commend all the men and women of the Peace Corps for their personal
sacrifices. It is not easy to leave behind friends and family and the
comforts of home. Yet I often hear that the rewards of bringing aid to
those suffering from political unrest, natural disasters, disease, and
a lack of economic opportunities are well worth it.
The Peace Corps volunteers' reputation as ambassadors of good will
demonstrates the ability of individuals to make a difference in the
world. Their firsthand knowledge of the challenges people face on a
day-to-day basis give those of us in the United States a better
understanding of our world. I applaud their efforts and dedication.
I would like to recognize the men and women from Wyoming who are
currently serving as U.S. Peace Corps volunteers: Pamela J. Anderson,
Jason N. Arnold, Alexandria L. Blute, Katie E. Boysen, Bria M.
Chimenti, Joanne A. Cook, Jenna M. Dillon, Heather Dixon, Jeannie M.
Freeman, Annie B. Gierhart, Alexis L. Grieve, Daniel J. Healy, Kevin U.
Malatesta, Joshuah C. Marshall, Korie C. Merrill, Michael O. Nielsen,
Katherine G. Oglietti, Kathleen F. Petersen, Rachel L. Petersen,
Michael S. Quinn, Garrett C. Schiche, Brian M. Steen, Dayna C. Wolter,
Angela E. Zivkovich, and Aaron R. Zueck.
Mr. ISAKSON. Mr. President, I stand before you today to congratulate
the Peace Corps on 47 years of service. The Peace Corps was founded on
March 1, 1961, when President John F. Kennedy signed an Executive order
establishing the Peace Corps as a new Government agency. Over the
years, 190,000 volunteers, including nearly 2,700 Georgians, have
served in more than 139 countries around the world. Throughout its
history, Peace Corps volunteers have responded to the issues of this
world with energy, purpose, and compassion.
From February 25 to March 3, 2008, thousands of former Peace Corps
volunteers will share their experiences with schools and community
groups across the United States during Peace Corps Week. Through these
activities, former Peace Corps volunteers will help our citizens better
understand the advantages of becoming a Peace Corps volunteer. They
will also have the opportunity to educate about the people and cultures
they have encountered during their service. Additionally, by making
presentations in classrooms, former volunteers will help create greater
global awareness among students.
I also want to take this opportunity to pay tribute to the late U.S.
Senator Paul Coverdell of Georgia, who was my good friend and colleague
for many years. As the corps' first post-Cold War director, Paul
steered the Peace Corps into a new era. I was pleased the President
honored Paul posthumously in 2001 by renaming the Peace Corps
headquarters in Washington, DC, as the Paul D. Coverdell Peace Corps
Headquarters as well as renaming the Peace Corps World Wise Schools
program as the Paul D. Coverdell World Wise Schools program. I am proud
to support an organization that such a distinguished Georgian was so
instrumental in shaping.
I am pleased that the President announced the reopening of a Peace
Corps mission in Rwanda during his visit to the country last week. I
believe the Peace Corps will make an important contribution to the
recovery of that country.
Today, there are 8,079 Peace Corps volunteers and trainees in 68
posts serving 74 countries. Of those volunteers, 160 are from my home
State of Georgia. I want to take this opportunity to thank those
Georgians and all Americans who have served in the Peace Corps. The
Peace Corps is a critical piece of our diplomatic and humanitarian
efforts worldwide. I look forward to supporting the Peace Corps as a
Member of the Senate.
Mr. CASEY. Mr. President, I wish to commemorate the past 47 years of
service of over 190,000 Peace Corps volunteers who have served our
Nation and aided developing nations worldwide. This week our Nation
celebrates their contributions toward the elimination of global poverty
and disease that continues to deprive millions of people the
opportunity to fulfill their goals and dreams.
Henry David Thoreau noted that ``One is not born into the world to do
everything, but to do something.'' To do something is the foundation of
the Peace Corps' mission. In 1961, President John F. Kennedy
established the Peace Corps to promote peace and friendship and
challenged Americans, young and old, to help their Nation and the world
by sharing their talents with those in developing countries. Many
Americans have heeded his call to service. Currently, approximately
8,000 volunteers serve in 74 countries to help train and provide skills
to those in need and act as American cultural ambassadors to those
nations. However, their work does not end there.
I am very proud that 261 Peace Corps volunteers from Pennsylvania are
currently serving abroad. These men and women will join the ranks of
former Pennsylvanian volunteers who continue to leave their mark on the
world such as Christina Luongo from Stroudsburg, PA, who served as a
nutrition education volunteer in Bolivia from 2002 to 2005; Abigail
Calkins, from Philadelphia, PA, who served as a community development
volunteer in Cameroon from 1987 to 1990 and is now working at the
University of Pennsylvania researching breast and endometrial cancer;
and Betrice Grabish, from North Wales, PA, who served as an English
teacher in Uzbekistan from 1992 to 1994.
As we celebrate National Peace Corps Week, I would also like to
highlight the vital contributions that a predecessor of mine, Senator
Harris Wofford, made toward launching the Peace Corps in 1961. As
special assistant to President John F. Kennedy, Senator Wofford helped
plan and launch the Peace Corps and later moved with his family to
Ethiopia, where he served as the Peace Corps' special representative to
Africa and director of its Ethiopia program. Ever since, Senator
Wofford
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has been a leading voice advocating for more Americans to become
involved in national service. Committing to serve one's nation is an
honor, and I join Senator Wofford in calling on more Americans to make
this commitment.
As our world becomes interconnected, more Americans will need to
interact with those who live outside our borders. Peace Corps
volunteers learn more than 250 languages, which provides them the
skills to compete globally as well as assist the U.S. Government in
national security areas where critical language skills are essential.
Many Peace Corps volunteers go on to serve in Congress, the executive
branch, and the Foreign Service. I salute the Peace Corps for its
tremendous work and the dedication of its volunteers who have not
hesitated to help improve our world. On this week marking the 47th
anniversary of the founding of the Peace Corps, I call on everyone to
join me in celebrating its historic achievements.
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