[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 30 (Thursday, March 4, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E314]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            RECOGNITION AND CELEBRATION OF PEACE CORPS WEEK

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                         HON. MICHAEL M. HONDA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 4, 2010

  Mr. HONDA. Madam Speaker, as a returned Peace Corps volunteer, I rise 
to recognize National Peace Corps Week and the work of the Peace Corps 
as we approach its 50th anniversary. For over 49 years, the Peace Corps 
has played an instrumental role in establishing prosperous foreign 
relations while fostering cross-cultural understandings. Countries from 
all over the globe celebrate the contributions of the Peace Corps and 
look forward with anticipation to its continued growth.
  During this week, we salute and honor the men and women of this 
nation who have selflessly served abroad as Peace Corps volunteers, as 
well as those current volunteers who continue to carry out the Peace 
Corps mission: world peace and friendship.
  The Peace Corps provides a unique opportunity for volunteers to help 
some of the most impoverished people in the world, work that changes 
their global perspectives. My personal experiences as a former Peace 
Corps volunteer in El Salvador building schools and health clinics 
continues to inspire me to actively advocate for the expansion of this 
program. The work of the Peace Corps and Peace Corps volunteers is 
invaluable--they are our country's greatest diplomatic tool. My 
experience marked the beginning of my lifelong commitment to public 
service. Most importantly, I returned to the United States with a 
deeper understanding of humanity and a personal commitment to speak on 
behalf of the marginalized and powerless.
  Since President John F. Kennedy's call to service, almost 50 years 
ago, over 195,000 people have served as Peace Corps volunteers. 
Although a lot has been achieved since the Peace Corps's inception, the 
Peace Corps is currently at half the size it was in 1966. As the 50th 
anniversary approaches, and with the recent devastations in Haiti and 
Chile, we are only reminded of the significance of community service 
and the valuable assistance that the Peace Corps can provide.
  It is with great appreciation for the Peace Corps and its ability to 
foster a global community that alongside my colleagues, I have 
requested $465 million for FY 2011 Peace Corps funding. A commitment to 
increase funding will allow the Peace Corps to modernize its systems, 
optimize the number of volunteers and staff in existing countries, 
strengthen recruiting and diversity efforts, continue to expand to new 
nations, and maximize safety and security training and compliance 
efforts.
  I am greatly encouraged by the work of the Peace Corps and look 
forward to answering President Obama's call to continue to grow the 
Peace Corps. In this time of world conflict, economic disparities, and 
when so many are expressing an interest in national service, I hope we 
continue to re-invigorate the Peace Corps, our Nation's greatest and 
most cost-efficient diplomatic tool. During Peace Corps week, let us 
all pay tribute to the hard work, perseverance, determination, 
compassion, and idealism of Peace Corps volunteers around the world.

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