[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 30 (Wednesday, March 2, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E403-E404]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          RECOGNIZING THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE PEACE CORPS

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. LAURA RICHARDSON

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, March 2, 2011

  Ms. RICHARDSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 50th 
Anniversary of the Peace Corps and praise the generations of volunteers 
who have passed through the program, sharing American ideals with the 
world and promoting a greater understanding of world cultures on the 
part of Americans.
  Mr. Speaker, there are currently 8,655 Peace Corps volunteers serving 
abroad, and the largest portion of them, 1,134, come from my home state 
of California. Right now, there are 336 volunteers from the Los 
Angeles-Long Beach Metropolitan Area, which encompasses my District. In 
fact, I am proud to say there only two metropolitan areas that produce 
more volunteers than my congressional district.
  Since the beginning of the program, California has produced over 
27,000 Peace Corps volunteers, who, driven by the same pioneering 
spirit for which California is famous, selflessly contributed a 
significant portion of their lives to serving others. My alma mater, 
UCLA, has produced 92 volunteers, ranking it among the top 10 
universities that inspire recent graduates to join the program. I 
salute them all and thank them for the sacrifices they make every day 
to make the world a better place.
  The history of the Peace Corps is tied to its founder, John F. 
Kennedy, when he was then a candidate for President. On October 14, 
1960, he gave a speech at the University of Michigan and lingered 
afterwards with a group of students, the conversation lasting long into 
the night. During that meeting, they discussed the idea of a government 
program whereby young Americans would be sent to developing nations to 
aid in local projects, mostly centering on education, health, and 
agriculture. President Kennedy kept this idea and 50 years ago he 
signed Executive Order 10924, establishing the Peace Corps. It was one 
of his first acts as President.
  Peace Corps volunteers are expected to work for 27 months, during 
which time they live and work in a developing nation with minimal 
comforts. After a training period, volunteers are placed in schools, 
community groups, and with other organizations that lack the capacity 
to acquire professional staff with specialized skills. Volunteers live 
on a small stipend and must adapt to the unique challenges posed by 
living in a different place with different cultures.

[[Page E404]]

  Volunteers started arriving in five countries through 1962. In just 
under six years under the leadership of its first Director, Sargent 
Shriver, the Peace Corps developed programs in 55 countries with a 
volunteer count of more than 15,000. As of now, over 200,000 Americans 
have served in 139 developing countries. Whole families have served in 
the program, which leads me to believe that the Peace Corps is an 
American institution, its value time-tested and its image recognized on 
a global scale.
  As a Member of Congress dedicated to strengthening American security, 
at home and abroad, I can think of no other American program that does 
better work to promote peace and goodwill at the grassroots level among 
everyday people in the world's developing countries. Every Peace Corps 
volunteer is an ambassador, living simply and building lasting 
relationships with their community partners, day in and day out. Some 
of these partners have gone on to serve their own countries 
internationally as diplomats. Many more become teachers, 
businesspeople, and local leaders who invest in their country, 
continuing and improving upon the work inspired by a Peace Corps 
volunteer. In making more friends around the globe and helping people 
take the lead in solving their own problems through collaborative 
means, the Peace Corps makes the world safer.
  Mr. Speaker, in addition to building institutional capacity and 
promoting a positive model of Americans abroad, the Peace Corps has a 
third component: It educates Americans about the world beyond our 
shores and promotes long-term cross-cultural understanding. Returned 
Peace Corps volunteers will talk about their experiences and offer 
insights into the cultures of their host countries for the rest of 
their lives. They will seek out public forums and encourage others 
interested in making the journey. They will possess a perspective of 
the world, and of its inhabitants, unattainable by any other means. 
They will also continue to serve the public interest. In this way, the 
Peace Corps improves America as it does any other country.
  Mr. Speaker, since the age of 6 I have wanted to work for others, and 
though I was a little girl at the time, I was touched by the energy of 
President Kennedy and came of age as the Peace Corps flourished. The 
spirit of service has never left me. The ideals of the Peace Corps fell 
across a generation, and to all those volunteers who heeded the call, I 
thank you for your service.

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