[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 37 (Tuesday, March 3, 2009)]
[Senate]
[Page S2688]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        PEACE CORPS ANNIVERSARY

  Ms. MURKOWSKI. Madam President, Sunday marked the 48th anniversary of 
the Peace Corps. As we wrap up Peace Corps Week here in the United 
States, I would like take this opportunity to extend my heartfelt 
congratulations and appreciation to all current and former volunteers.
  Since its creation in 1961, approximately 190,000 volunteers have 
served in 139 countries around the world. The fields Peace Corps 
volunteers work in are as varied as the countries in which they serve, 
but they offer us a snapshot of the breadth of global development 
challenges we face as a planet: HIV/AIDs; food security; environmental 
degradation; expanding the reach of technology; improving access to 
clean water and sanitation; and providing education and professional 
opportunities to those who might not otherwise have a chance to go to 
school or open a business.
  Not only the host countries benefit from all the good work these 
volunteers do. Each of these volunteers gives the United States an 
opportunity to showcase our values and goals to the rest of the world 
in a grassroots way. The volunteers have the chance to learn foreign 
languages, live and work in new cultures, and develop skills which will 
aid them in their future careers. The skills these intrepid volunteers 
learn during their tours will also be a credit to the United States in 
the future as they return home and put their on-the-ground knowledge to 
work in the States.
  I am delighted to see that the spirit of this movement is still 
strong with Alaskans. This year, 32 Alaskans are serving in 27 
different countries on five different continents in fields ranging from 
health to education to agriculture to small business development. When 
they return to Alaska it will be with the knowledge that they can 
achieve any task set before them with innovation and hard work. I am 
excited to see what great things they will do next for our State and 
the Nation as a whole.

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