[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 32 (Wednesday, February 29, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E276-E277]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            RECOGNITION OF THE PEACE CORPS' 51ST ANNIVERSARY

                                  _____
                                 

                       HON. JESSE L. JACKSON, JR.

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 29, 2012

  Mr. JACKSON of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate 
the Peace Corps on its 51st anniversary and to recognize the 
anniversary and to recognize the outstanding work the organization has 
done in its years of service. Since 1961, the Peace Corps has placed 
over 200,000 volunteers in 139 countries. While abroad, volunteers make 
significant contributions in developing nations through assistance with 
agriculture, business development, information technology, education, 
health, HIV/AIDS, youth development, and the environment.
  I am honored to congratulate the Peace Corps. Currently, the Corps 
has over 9,000 volunteers throughout Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, 
Central America, South America, Europe, the Pacific Islands, and the 
Middle East. As a member of the Foreign Operations Subcommittee I make 
a consistent effort to ensure the Peace Corps has adequate funding to 
fulfill its mission. Peace Corps volunteers have

[[Page E277]]

long been instrumental in improving millions of lives, in addition to 
helping foster strong relationships between the United States and other 
countries around the world. The assistance the Peace Corps volunteers 
provide is an outstanding example of the United States' commitment to 
making the world a better place through not only compassion, but also 
development opportunities, like language training, youth skills 
development services, and much more.
  One shining example of the success of the Peace Corps has been its 
tremendous leadership in the global fight against the HIV/AIDS 
pandemic. In 2010, approximately 34 million people lived with HIV/AIDS, 
with 22 million of those cases located in sub-Saharan Africa. I firmly 
believe the work done by the Peace Corps has had a tremendous impact in 
areas that have been disproportionally exposed to this virus. The 
volunteers use their unique training to teach HIV/AIDS prevention in a 
way that is culturally sensitive to local customs allowing Peace Corps 
professionals to provide essential health services to HIV/AIDS 
patients.
  Finally, I would like to take a moment and give special recognition 
to the members of my district that are currently serving in the Peace 
Corps:
  Manuel A. Colon, serving in Paraguay from 09 Dec 2010 until 15 Dec 
2012
   Hannah Gdalman, serving in Guatemala from 16 Jul 2010 until 15 Jul 
2012
  Sarah A. Kopper, serving in Senegal from 15 Oct 2010 until 05 Oct 
2012
  Marjorie A. Larson, serving in Mali 03 Sep 2010 until 10 Sep 2012
  Ryne G. Peterson, serving in Moldova 08 Aug 2009 until 08 Jun 2012
  Phebe I. Philips-Adeyelu, serving in Macedonia 25 Nov 2010 until 24 
Nov 2012
  Glenise A. Rice, serving in Panama 01 Jul 2010 until 29 Jun 2012
  Thank you Peace Corps for 51 years of global service and leadership.

                          ____________________