[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 30 (Thursday, March 4, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E308-E309]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     COMMENDING THE PEACE CORPS FOR 49 YEARS OF GLOBAL SERVICE AND 
                 RECOGNIZING NATIONAL PEACE CORPS WEEK

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                         HON. ALCEE L. HASTINGS

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 4, 2010

  Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the 
Peace Corps for 49 years of global service and to recognize National 
Peace Corps Week.
  Since its inception in 1961 by President John F. Kennedy, the Peace 
Corps has placed nearly 200,000 American Volunteers in 139 countries 
around the world to contribute to the cause of peace and human 
progress. Its impact has been felt in developing nations across the 
globe where Peace Corps Volunteers have assisted on a variety of 
issues, working hand in hand with the people of these nations to build 
a better future for their communities.
  There are currently 7,671 Volunteers serving in 76 countries who are 
dedicated to better understanding the people of other nations while 
helping to promote a better understanding Americans in an effort to 
find common ways to work together to address global challenges.
  Among those Volunteers are three distinguished individuals from the 
23rd Congressional District. Laura Alexander has been serving in 
Tanzania since August of 2008. Aysa Gray is currently serving in 
Namibia, where she has been since September of 2008. And Peggy Defray 
started in April of 2009 her service in Namibia as well.
  With the help of these dedicated young people and the generations of 
current and former Volunteers from all over the United States, the 
Peace Corps has become a symbol of America's commitment to expand 
opportunities and assist those in need throughout the world.
  For example, the commitment of Peace Corps Volunteers in the area of 
HIV/AIDS assistance, awareness, and prevention has been a crucial part 
of the global response to this pandemic. Volunteers have also made 
significant efforts in the areas of education, agriculture, the 
environment, and more recently, business development and information 
technology.
  The lasting contributions made by those in the Peace Corps, past and 
present, are truly remarkable. I am thankful for the opportunity to 
honor the Peace Corps for 49 years of excellence during this National 
Peace Corps Week.

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