[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 142 (Thursday, September 22, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1686-E1687]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          IN HONOR OF THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE PEACE CORPS

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. DENNIS J. KUCINICH

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 22, 2011

  Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of the 50th 
anniversary of the Peace Corps, an organization of volunteers who are 
dedicated to helping individuals build better lives for themselves by 
living and working in developing countries.
  Following President John F. Kennedy's challenge to 5,000 students at 
the University of Michigan to dedicate two years of their lives to help 
people in developing countries, the Peace Corps was officially 
established on March 1, 1961. Young people throughout the country were 
inspired, and by June 22, 1961, Peace Corps Director Sargent Shriver 
had received 11,000 applications. On August 30, 1961, the first group 
of Peace Corps volunteers arrived to serve as teachers in Ghana. By 
December of 1961, more than 500 volunteers were working in nine 
countries around the world.
  Today, 50 years after the Peace Corps began; there are more than 
8,600 active volunteers and trainees working in 76 different countries. 
The mission of the Peace Corps that was adopted in 1961 still remains 
the organization's mission today. ``Helping the people of interested 
countries in meeting their need for trained men and women. Helping 
promote a better understanding of Americans on the part of the peoples 
served. Helping promote a better understanding of other peoples on the 
part of Americans.''

[[Page E1687]]

  Throughout its history, the Peace Corps has continued to adapt to the 
needs of developing countries. Volunteers work in areas such as 
education, business development, environmental preservation, youth 
development, agriculture and HIV/AIDS relief. Returned Peace Corps 
volunteers return to the U.S. with incomparable experience and have 
gone on to become directors of the Peace Corps, Members of Congress, 
presidents of universities and CEOs in the business world.
  Mr. Speaker and colleagues, please join me in honor of the more than 
200,000 volunteers who have dedicated themselves to promoting world 
peace and friendship throughout 139 countries over the past 50 years.

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