[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 15 (Tuesday, January 31, 2012)]
[Senate]
[Page S204]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   RECOGNIZING UVM PEACE CORPS ALUMNI

  Mr. LEAHY. Mr. President, I would like to take a moment to commend 
the University of Vermont for its close relationship with the Peace 
Corps. This year, UVM ranked fifth in the Nation among midsized 
colleges and universities that are the top producers of Peace Corps 
volunteers. I am proud of the 42 UVM alumni currently serving in the 
Peace Corps around the world.
  UVM has highlighted Eric Smith as one of its current alumni 
volunteers. Eric, who is stationed in Costa Rica, is applying his 
business degree by teaching microfinance and helping young women 
develop small businesses. He says that such efforts ``would not have 
been possible without my education at UVM.''
  Like Eric, all of the UVM volunteers have devoted 2 years to 
promoting cultural understanding and improving the lives of people in 
countries such as Cambodia, El Salvador, Tanzania, and Uganda. Some are 
employing innovative teaching methods to inspire young people. Some 
work on small farms, increasing food production in rural villages. 
Others help provide safe drinking water or combat the HIV/AIDS 
pandemic. Yet all of the UVM volunteers display an admirable commitment 
to civic engagement with the dream of building a better world.
  This dream is emblematic of the Vermont spirit. For the second year 
in a row, in 2011 our State produced the most Peace Corps volunteers 
per capita in the Nation. The Upper Valley region of Vermont ranks 
eighth in the Nation among metropolitan areas whose citizens are 
serving in the Peace Corps. In 2010, the Burlington area ranked second 
in the same category.
  As the Peace Corps continues its 50th year of building understanding 
between Americans and the citizens of other countries, I want to 
applaud the contributions of Vermonters and the University of Vermont. 
These volunteers deserve our appreciation and support.
  I ask unanimous consent that a January 25, 2012, Burlington Free 
Press article entitled ``UVM ranks 5th in producing Peace Corps vols.'' 
be printed in the Record.
  There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in 
the Record, as follows:

            [From the Burlington Free Press, Jan. 25, 2012]

            UVM Ranks 5th in Producing Peace Corps Volumes.

                       (By the Associated Press)

       Burlington.--The Peace Corps says the University of Vermont 
     ranks fifth in the country in the number of former students 
     who are serving as volunteers overseas.
       The rankings of medium sized universities released Tuesday 
     show that 42 UVM alumni are serving overseas. The figure is 
     up eight over last year and it moved the school from 13th to 
     fifth.
       The Vermont alumni work across the globe in programs that 
     include agriculture, education, environment, health and 
     business and youth development.
       The top producing medium sized college or university is The 
     George Washington University.
       The overall top producing school is the University of 
     Colorado at Boulder.

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