[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 42 (Friday, March 8, 2019)]
[House]
[Page H2590]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





             PROMOTING AMERICAN VALUES THROUGH PEACE CORPS

  (Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania asked and was given permission to 
address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Madam Speaker, 58 years ago this week, 
President John F. Kennedy signed an executive order establishing the 
United States Peace Corps. Since then, more than 200,000 Americans have 
participated in international service opportunities through the Peace 
Corps.
  International service organizations like the Peace Corps and student 
exchange programs operated by the Department of State play an important 
role in promoting the image of America around the world. These programs 
provide American volunteers with a chance to learn about their host 
country's society and values, and, in turn, volunteers share American 
culture and values with the people of their host country. This fosters 
a great understanding of and strong friendship between our country and 
those around the world.
  The Peace Corps was created with the strong belief that Americans are 
willing to contribute part of their life to the country. President 
Kennedy said that we must not merely aim to have an economic advantage 
in life, but we must strive for a greater purpose. Madam Speaker, for 
58 years, the United States Peace Corps has provided thousands of 
Americans with that greater purpose.

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