[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 31 (Friday, March 5, 2010)]
[Senate]
[Pages S1225-S1227]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
NATIONAL PEACE CORPS WEEK
Mr. AKAKA. Mr. President, in the early 1960s, President John F.
Kennedy inspired Americans to serve their country in the cause of peace
by living and working in developing countries throughout the world.
From that inspiration grew an agency devoted to world peace and
friendship. The Peace Corps has become an enduring symbol of our
Nation's commitment to encourage progress, create opportunity, and
expand development at the grass-roots level in the developing world. In
gratitude of the nearly 200,000 volunteers who have made significant
contributions to improve the lives of people in over 139 countries
during the last 49 years, I would like the Senate to recognize the
Peace Corps and its celebration of National Peace Corps Week.
National Peace Corps Week is being held from March 1 through March 7,
2010. During this time, celebratory and educational events will occur
across the country to pay tribute to the Peace Corps' positive
influence on communities here at home and abroad. Thousands of current
and former Peace Corps volunteers will participate in activities that
advance the Peace Corps'
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goals of improving Americans' understanding of other peoples and
improving other peoples' understanding of Americans in countries where
the Peace Corps serves. The momentous work of Peace Corps volunteers
toward these goals represents a legacy of service that has become a
significant part of America's history and positive image abroad.
Throughout its history, the Peace Corps has adapted and responded to
the issues of the times. In a constantly changing world, Peace Corps
volunteers have met new and difficult challenges with creativity,
determination, innovation and compassion in places such as Africa,
Asia, the Caribbean, Central and South America, Europe, the Pacific
Islands and the Middle East. Volunteers have made momentous and
enduring contributions in agriculture, business development,
information technology, education, the environment, health and HIV/AIDS
awareness and prevention. Peace Corps volunteers are able to make these
tremendous contributions through learning more than 250 languages and
dialects and receiving extensive cross-cultural training that enables
them to function effectively at a professional level in different
cultural settings.
It should be noted that in the area of HIV/AIDS awareness and
prevention, Peace Corps volunteers provide hope and meaningful
assistance to those affected by this terrible disease. The tireless
efforts and dedication of volunteers have made the Peace Corps a key
partner in the global response to the HIV/AIDS pandemic. Peace Corps
volunteers are uniquely suited to work in HIV/AIDS awareness and
prevention because they are trained in the local language, live and
work in the communities where they serve, and know how to share
information in a culturally appropriate way.
The Peace Corps and its volunteers continue the tradition of making a
difference to improve the lives of millions of people around the world.
Peace Corps volunteers will arrive in Indonesia in the spring of 2010
and will work as English teachers in high schools and at teacher
training institutions. In mid-2010, Peace Corps volunteers will return
to Sierra Leone after a 16-year absence to focus on secondary education
and work with their host communities on grassroots initiatives and
community development projects.
In conclusion, I want to take this opportunity to personally thank
the nearly 7,700 Peace Corps volunteers who are currently making
significant and lasting contributions in 76 countries. Among them I
want to recognize the 29 Peace Corps volunteers from the State of
Hawaii who are serving in such diverse places as Zambia, Botswana,
Micronesia, China, Morocco and Kyrgyzstan. I am extremely proud of
their service and contribution.
I take great pleasure in recognizing the achievements of the Peace
Corps, honoring its volunteers, and reaffirming our country's
commitment to helping people help themselves throughout the world.
Mrs. SHAHEEN. Mr. President, I rise today to commemorate National
Peace Corps Week and to honor the thousands of Americans who serve as
Peace Corps volunteers throughout the world.
The Peace Corps was founded on the ideal that each of us has the
responsibility to serve our country and leave our world in a better
place than we found it. Peace Corps volunteers provide innovation,
creativity, determination, and compassion in an ever-changing world,
advancing U.S. interests and the global good. These volunteers
exemplify the true meaning of service to a greater cause and
contributing to the well-being of those in need around the world.
Since the Peace Corps' founding in 1961 by President John F. Kennedy,
nearly 200,000 U.S. citizens have chosen to serve their country as
Peace Corps volunteers in 139 countries around the world. Today, nearly
8,000 Peace Corps volunteers serve abroad in 76 different countries,
providing critical education, expertise, and development assistance to
the poor and impoverished across the globe. Their willingness to
dedicate themselves toward the laudable goal of assisting those in need
and strengthening the image of America makes them deserving of our
respect and admiration.
In my own home State of New Hampshire, 48 volunteers have heard the
call and are currently devoting their time, energy, and lives to
fulfilling the vision of President Kennedy and serving abroad in the
cause of peace. They are placed throughout the developing world--from
Cambodia to Guatemala to Kazakhstan--making significant and lasting
contributions toward the health, education, and development in the
places where these things are often needed most.
I seek recognition of each of these citizen ambassadors and the many
Peace Corps volunteers from New Hampshire that have served since 1961.
In honor of their efforts, I will ask consent that the attached list of
current New Hampshire volunteers be printed in the Congressional
Record. New Hampshire is proud of your service, and we will continue to
stand behind you and express thanks for your assistance.
In today's interdependent world, American security and prosperity are
inextricably linked to the security and prosperity of people in the
developing world. Peace Corps volunteers work on the front lines in our
battle for hearts and minds around the globe. They serve as teachers,
business professionals, health educators, agricultural and
environmental specialists, management and information technology
advisors, and mentors and friends to citizens across the globe. As the
administration plans to double the size of the Peace Corps in the years
to come, it is critical to remember that these unofficial ambassadors
have become enduring symbols of our nation's commitment to progress,
opportunity, and grass-roots development in the far corners of the
world.
Upon the completion of their service abroad, these volunteers then
return home to promote a better understanding here in America of the
culture, language and viewpoint of those they have served. In our 21st
century world, where the threats and challenges that confront America
and the global community cannot be overcome by the might of our
military alone, Peace Corps volunteers are laying the foundation for a
more secure, prosperous, and compassionate world. In honor of National
Peace Corps Week and in celebration of the Peace Corps' 49th
anniversary, I would like to recognize those volunteers from New
Hampshire, as well as all past and current Peace Corps volunteers, for
their commitment to fostering a better world for future generations.
As a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and the chair
of the Foreign Relations Subcommittee on European Affairs, I will work
with our allies and friends throughout the world in the development of
an American foreign policy that matches the passion and commitment to
service of our Peace Corps volunteers abroad.
Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent to have the list of current
New Hampshire volunteers to which I referred printed in the Record.
There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in
the Record, as follows:
SWORN-IN VOLUNTEERS IN THE STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
Senator: Jeanne Shaheen
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Volunteer name Country of service Start of service date Projected COS date
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Abrams, Hillary H.................... South Africa........... 17-Sep-2009............ 16-Sep-2011
Ankarberg, Denise Y.................. China.................. 28-Aug-2009............ 02-Sep-2011
Bardo, Johanna E..................... Suriname............... 01-Aug-2008............ 31-Jul-2010
Bardo, Nicholas W.................... China.................. 12-May-2006............ 25-Aug-2010
Barker, Lisa B....................... Cambodia............... 25-Sep-2009............ 12-Aug-2011
Bootland, Diane C.................... Belize................. 29-Oct-2008............ 22-Oct-2010
Cahill, Michael P.................... Mali................... 12-Sep-2008............ 11-Sep-2010
Campbell, Adam S..................... Morocco................ 19-May-2008............ 19-May-2010
Clark, Samantha A.................... Kazakhstan............. 31-Oct-2009............ 30-Oct-2011
Coes, Casey P........................ Morocco................ 19-May-2008............ 03-Sep-2010
Cook, Catherine A.................... Suriname............... 29-Jul-2009............ 28-Jul-2011
Costanza, Danielle M................. Nicaragua.............. 31-Jul-2009............ 29-Ju1-2011
Croteau-Frechet, Sydney A............ Swaziland.............. 27-Aug-2009............ 26-Aug-2011
Daigneault, Jacqueline A............. Togo................... 03-Dec-2009............ 02-Dec-2011
Drapcho, Amanda C.................... Gambia................. 18-Apr-2008............ 17-Apr-2010
Estabrook, Kate P.................... Suriname............... 01-Aug-2008............ 31-Jul-2010
Evans, Nicole A...................... Lesotho................ 08-Jan-2009............ 23-Jan-2011
Fiorino, Amanda J.................... Mongolia............... 19-Aug-2009............ 18-Aug-2011
Fosher, Steven J..................... Morocco................ 29-Apr-2009............ 29-Apr-2011
Frechette, David K................... Swaziland.............. 27-Aug-2009............ 26-Aug-2011
Fredenburg, Angus T.................. Nicaragua.............. 23-Nov-2009............ 18-Nov-2011
Geller, Amanda L..................... Guatemala.............. 18-Jul-2008............ 17-Jul-2010
Gross, Brendan S..................... Mali................... 10-Sep-2009............ 11-Sep-2011
Guthro, Kaitlyn A.................... Kyrgyzstan............. 18-Sep-2008............ 17-Sep-2010
Hannon, Mark F....................... Mali................... 12-Sep-2008............ 11-Sep-2010
Hannon, Samantha B................... Mali................... 12-Sep-2008............ 11-Sep-2010
Hendel, Sarah J...................... Turkmenistan........... 05-Dec-2008............ 05-Dec-2010
Jacobson, Gloria J................... Fiji................... 23-Jul-2009............ 22-Jul-2011
Joyce, Judith A...................... Eastern Caribbean...... 17-Oct-2008............ 15-Oct-2010
Keniston, Charlotte S................ Guatemala.............. 31-Oct-2008............ 30-Oct-2010
King, Amy E.......................... Azerbaijan............. 09-Dec-2009............ 08-Dec-2011
Mackie, Laura K...................... Ukraine................ 18-Jun-2008............ 17-Jun-2010
McGlone, Michael R................... Fiji................... 24-Jul-2008............ 30-Ju1-2010
Mclaughlin, Matt..................... Senegal................ 17-Nov-2006............ 14-Dec-2009
Melvin, Adam T....................... Jordan................. 04-Sep-2008............ 09-Sep-2010
Netsch, Kathryn S.................... Kyrgyzstan............. 18-Sep-2008............ 17-Sep-2010
O'Neil, Beth J....................... Armenia................ 13-Aug-2009............ 13-Aug-2011
Rhodes, James R...................... Suriname............... 29-Jul-2009............ 28-Jul-2011
Sehovich, Jessica N.................. Ukraine................ 18-Jun-2008............ 17-Jun-2010
Sullivan, Steven W................... Senegal................ 07-Nov-2008............ 09-Nov-2010
Thompson, Jonathan D................. Benin.................. 25-Sep-2009............ 25-Sep-2011
Tostenson, Bradley J................. Kyrgyzstan............. 10-Jun-2009............ 09-Jun-2011
Tuttle, Christian P.................. China.................. 28-Aug-2009............ 02-Sep-2011
UlIrich, Valerie L................... Ukraine................ 18-Jun-2009............ 17-Jun-2011
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Vinson, Laura M...................... Ecuador................ 29-Aug-2008............ 27-Aug-2010
Wiggum, Candice D.................... Macedonia.............. 26-Nov-2009............ 25-Nov-2011
Wilkinson, Amy T..................... Uganda................. 22-Apr-2009............ 21-Apr-2011
Wrocklage, James W................... Azerbaijan............. 09-Dec-2009............ 08-Dec-2011
Total Volunteers: 48.............
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