[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 34 (Thursday, February 26, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E501]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  48TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE PEACE CORPS

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. NICK J. RAHALL II

                            of west virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, February 26, 2009

  Mr. RAHALL. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 48th 
Anniversary of the Peace Corps and in doing so, join many others around 
the nation in celebrating National Peace Corps Week. Their mission is 
to help the people of interested countries in meeting their need for 
trained men and women while helping to promote a better understanding 
of Americans on the part of the peoples served, as well as, a better 
understanding of other peoples on the part of Americans.
  Since the establishment of the Peace Corps by President John F. 
Kennedy in 1961, more than 195,000 U.S. citizens have served their 
country in the cause of peace by living and working in 139 countries 
throughout the world. As of September 30, 2008, 7,876 Peace Corps 
Volunteers are making significant and lasting contributions to improve 
the lives of individuals and communities in 76 countries.
  I am proud to say that three of those volunteers currently serving 
their country are from my district in West Virginia. Both Ashley M. 
Hess (Burkina Faso) and Garrett C. Prendergast (Mongolia) will finish 
up their two years' of service in August of 2010, while Stephanie D. 
Zorio will finish up her two years' of service in the Philippines in 
November of 2010.
  Peace Corps volunteers have made significant and lasting 
contributions around the world in agriculture, business development, 
information technology, education, health and HIV/AIDS, youth and the 
environment.
  The 195,000 citizens, who have volunteered to serve their country 
since 1961, came from all walks of life and represent the best of what 
the United States has to offer. The work they have done over the past 
47 years has played an important role in developing nations and 
continues to provide opportunities for people of different backgrounds 
to come together to serve the cause of peace.

                          ____________________