[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 129 (Thursday, September 23, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1719]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               AUTHORIZING PEACE CORPS COMMEMORATIVE WORK

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                               speech of

                         HON. MICHAEL M. HONDA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 22, 2010

  Mr. HONDA. Mr. Speaker, as a returned Peace Corps Volunteer, I rise 
in support of H.R. 4195, Authorization of the Peace Corps Commemorative 
Foundation to establish a commemorative work in the District of 
Columbia and its environs.
  I commend Representative Sam Farr and members of the Committee on 
Natural Resources for the hard work and thoughtful consideration that 
went into this bill. I am pleased this bill will authorize the Peace 
Corps Commemorative Foundation to establish a memorial that honors the 
Peace Corps and the instrumental role it plays in establishing 
prosperous foreign relation and cross-cultural understandings. Through 
the selfless service of men and women of this nation as Peace Corps 
Volunteers, the Corps' mission of world peace and friendship is 
realized around the world.
  Since President John F. Kennedy's call to service, almost 50 years 
ago, nearly 200,000 Peace Corps Volunteers have served in 139 host 
countries to train local people in technologies and issues including 
agriculture production, water quality improvement, basic education, 
AIDS education, information technology, and environmental preservation. 
With the recent devastations in Haiti and Chile, we are continuously 
reminded of the significance of community service and inspired by the 
valuable assistance the Peace Corps provide.
  My personal experience 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 worthy and necessary 
organization. The experience meant much to me and 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.
  To that end, alongside of my colleagues, I requested $465 million for 
FY 2011 Peace Corps fund, allowing 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. Although a lot has been achieved since the Peace 
Corps' inception, it is currently at half the size it was in 1966. I am 
greatly encouraged by President Obama's commitment to expand public 
service by building upon the Peace Corps and creating innovative 
programs that inspire Americans, from all walks of life, to bear the 
torch of peace and goodwill.
  Again, I congratulate the Committee on Natural Resources and 
Representative Sam Farr for their work on this bill and I urge my 
colleagues to support this important legislation to authorize the Peace 
Corps Commemorative Foundation to establish a commemorative work in the 
District of Columbia and its environs. In this time of world conflict 
and economic disparities I find hope in the work of the Peace Corps. 
Their mission is more vital than ever and my resolve to reinvigorate 
our Nation's greatest and most cost-efficient diplomatic tool is 
strengthened. Let us all pay tribute to the hard work, perseverance, 
determination, compassion, and idealism of the Peace Corps and past and 
current Peace Corps Volunteers around the world.

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