[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 36 (Tuesday, March 3, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E293]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              IN RECOGNITION OF NATIONAL PEACE CORPS WEEK

                                  _____
                                 

                            HON. GWEN MOORE

                              of wisconsin

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, March 3, 2015

  Ms. MOORE. Mr. Speaker, I join my colleagues and the over 6,800 Peace 
Corps volunteers around the globe in commemorating National Peace Corps 
Week which coincides with the 54th Anniversary of the Peace Corps. 
Since its beginning in the Kennedy Administration, nearly 220,000 
Americans have served in 140 developing nations around the world.
  These volunteers serve as teachers, health care service providers and 
educators helping to bring needed care to communities that lack access. 
Their vision and commitment to bettering the world around them has 
helped make enduring contributions in agriculture, education, health 
and HIV/AIDS, youth, and technology in developing countries. 
Additionally, returned Peace Corps volunteers are the type of leaders 
we need in all sectors of our society to help face the many challenges 
in our own country.
  And as a strong reminder that growing numbers of young Americans want 
to go and make a difference in this world, in 2014, the Peace Corps 
received a 22-year high of 17,336 applications. But it is not only 
young Americans making a difference in the Peace Corps. A growing 
number of volunteers are over age 50.
  A total of 5,800 volunteers from my home state of Wisconsin have 
served in the Peace Corps since its founding, including my 
distinguished former colleague from Wisconsin, Congressman Tom Petri. 
On a per capita basis, Wisconsin ranked 9th in the nation in sending 
Peace Corps Volunteers in 2013 with the University of Wisconsin-Madison 
among the tops in the nation among large colleges and universities in 
sending Peace Corps volunteers overseas.
  Over 200 Wisconsinites are currently serving. I want to personally 
thank the seven volunteers from my district who are currently serving 
in the Peace Corps. Caitlin Connolly, Adam Coonen, Sarmeera Hassan, 
Casimir Korducki, Jodi Lemmer, Daniel Pologe, and Lindsey Powell. From 
Belize to Zambia, these young people are representing the best of 
Milwaukee and of America. I am very proud of them.
  As a representative for the great state of Wisconsin, I strongly 
support the goals of the Peace Corps and the passion and commitment of 
its volunteers on behalf of the United States. I am pleased that the 
President's FY2016 request includes $30 million increase in funding to 
help increase the number of volunteers serving.
  As our world continues to struggle with natural disasters, diseases 
such as Ebola, conflict and instability, fledging transitions to 
democracy, and poverty and hunger, the Peace Corps will be a vital part 
of the U.S. diplomatic and development response and a sign of our 
nation's long term commitment to helping alleviating suffering around 
the globe.
  I congratulate the Peace Corps and their volunteers on this momentous 
occasion. It is an excellent example of the type of program we need to 
invest in as part of our efforts to promote development, peace, and 
stability around the globe.

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