[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 59 (Monday, April 26, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E647]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   HONORING THE 49TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE PEACE CORPS AND PEACE CORPS 
                               VOLUNTEERS

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                        HON. GERALD E. CONNOLLY

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, April 26, 2010

  Mr. CONNOLLY of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize 
the efforts of our nation's Peace Corps volunteers in honor of the 49th 
Anniversary of the Peace Corps. Since the establishment of the Peace 
Corps by President Kennedy in 1961, nearly 200,000 Americans have 
served in 139 countries. For the past 49 years, Peace Corps volunteers 
have demonstrated the nation's commitment to encourage and expand 
development at the grass roots level.
  Currently, 7,671 volunteers are providing expertise and development 
assistance to 76 countries. Peace Corps volunteers have made 
significant contributions in agriculture, business development, 
information to technology, education, health, youth, and the 
environment. In these various sectors and communities, volunteers have 
been able to adapt and respond to new challenges through their 
innovation, creativity, and compassion.
  For example, Peace Corps volunteers have provided hope and assistance 
to people affected by HIV/AIDS. Volunteers have led the way in making 
the Peace Corps at the forefront of responding to the HIV/AIDS 
epidemic. Through living in the community and learning the local 
language, they are able to share information relating to HIV/AIDS in a 
culturally appropriate way.
  Once Peace Corps volunteers return from abroad, they have become 
leaders in all sectors of society. Through their training and 
experience abroad, volunteers are able to adapt to different cultural 
settings at the professional level. I would like to commend our proud 
nation's Peace Corps volunteers for their service, particularly those 
men and women of the Eleventh Congressional District of Virginia. I 
consider it a great honor to represent these noble men and women, who 
travel great distances and make great sacrifices to help reaffirm our 
country's commitment to helping people help themselves throughout the 
world.
  Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues and their staff to join me in 
recognizing the achievement of and the Peace Corps volunteers. They are 
a great credit to our country, and we should applaud them.

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