[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 35 (Monday, March 3, 2008)]
[Senate]
[Page S1463]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       NATIONAL PEACE CORPS WEEK

  Mr. BINGAMAN. Mr. President, I wish to add my voice to those of my 
colleagues who have stood to salute the Peace Corps.
  The Peace Corps is one of our country's most effective international 
development programs. Since its inception in 1961, the Peace Corps has 
sent over 190,000 volunteers to 139 developing countries, where they 
have helped build thousands of schools, health clinics, and small 
businesses.
  Equally as important, the Peace Corps is one of our country's most 
important public diplomacy programs. The sight of ordinary Americans 
volunteering to serve the world's most disadvantaged populations cannot 
help but elevate good will toward our country. Fifty-nine volunteers 
from my home State of New Mexico are currently serving in countries 
ranging from Ukraine and Georgia in Europe, to Malawi and Senegal in 
Africa, to Peru and Honduras in Central America.
  Today, I urge the Peace Corps to consider returning to the poorest 
country in our own hemisphere. That country is Haiti.
  According to the U.N. Development Program, over three-quarters of 
Haitians subsist on less than $2 per day and over half on less than $1 
per day. Haiti is one of the poorest of the poor. The security 
situation in Haiti was precarious for much of the new century--which is 
why the Peace Corps left. But one year ago, a brighter picture emerged. 
The international community launched a concerted effort to rid Haiti's 
slums of violent gangs. President Rene Preval made real efforts to 
promote political reconciliation in the country. Because of these 
efforts, we have a genuine window of opportunity to make a difference 
in Haiti. But this window will not last forever. In the best tradition 
of the Peace Corps, we Americans should seize this opportunity while we 
have the chance.
  I can think of no better way of honoring the Peace Corps than by 
calling upon it to consider returning to Haiti.

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