[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 4]
[House]
[Page 5156]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                  RECOGNIZING NATIONAL PEACE CORPS DAY

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. MARK UDALL

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 24, 2004

  Mr. UDALL of Colorado. Mr. Speaker, during March, we celebrate 
National Peace Corps Day, honoring the 168,000 Americans who have 
served as volunteers since the creation of the Peace Corps in 1961. 
These amazing men and women have served our Nation in 136 countries. 
Peace Corps volunteers have made enormous contributions in the areas of 
agriculture, business development, education, health, and the 
environment, and in so doing have improved the lives of individuals and 
communities around the world. The Peace Corps has become an enduring 
symbol of our Nation's commitment to encourage progress and create 
opportunity in the developing world.
  My own background as an educator and director at Outward Bound for 20 
years taught me about the importance of national and community service. 
But I also have strong connections to the Peace Corps--through my great 
State of Colorado and through my family. Colorado has one of the 
highest levels of recruitment of Peace Corps volunteers nationwide, and 
returned Peace Corps Volunteers in the 2nd Congressional District alone 
number over 500. Of course, the most important Peace Corps connection 
for me is my mother, who served as a volunteer in Nepal decades ago.
  Because of these connections I have a special interest in advancing 
the ability of the Peace Corps to play an important role in these new 
times. I believe we must work to continue to promote world peace and 
friendship through the people-to-people approach of the Peace Corps. 
That's why I worked with my colleague Representative Sam Farr last year 
to introduce legislation known as the Peace Corps Charter for the 21st 
Century Act that would strengthen and expand the Peace Corps. The bill 
passed the House as part of H.R. 1950, a bill authorizing programs at 
the Department of State. I am hopeful that the Senate will pass the 
bill before the end of the 108th Congress.
  The Peace Corps is one of the most admired and successful initiatives 
ever put in place. I'm proud that the following young people from the 
2nd Congressional District are presently serving in countries all over 
the world: Vanessa Adams, Ben Armitage, Molly E. Boynoff, Ryan G. 
Burgess, Millicent S. Butterworth, Yun Chang, Shaun P. Cosgrove, Brian 
P. Cox, Shaun P. Cronin, Gene F. Defosse, Nicholas J. Detsch, Aryn M. 
Fleegler, Brooke S. Franke, David Gelvin, Marion C. Hackman, Jessica E. 
Hanson, Bret G. Harry, Dustin A. Hinrichs, Anna D. Jankowski, Betty J. 
Kelly, Joseph R. Kelly, Rebecca J. Knerl, Wendy L. Maxwell, Kerith 
(Kay) M. Miller, Stephanie A. Ogden, Sarah K. Oltmans, Johanna S. 
Patrick, Benjamin J. Ploeger, Matthew N. Rice, Paul J. Robyn, Trent W. 
Ruder, Kate A. Rudkin, Kathleen M. Shannon, Melinda E. Simonson, David 
W. Sparkman, Robert B. Sweetman, Amanda R. Tennant, Michelle L. 
Tinkler, Ryan P. Van Duzer, Gabrielle Varani, Michael J. Walzak, 
Anthony R. White, Barry M. Wick.
  A pebble tossed into a still pond creates ripples that begin small 
and grow larger. Peace Corps volunteers have had this same effect on 
the people they have touched. The Peace Corps experience exemplifies 
how individuals can make a tremendous difference in the lives and 
perceptions of people in developing countries as well as people right 
here at home.
  National Peace Corps Day honors the volunteers, past and present, and 
reaffirms our country's commitment to helping people help themselves 
throughout the world. Today I honor all of the men and women who have 
selflessly and generously served our country in the Peace Corps.

                          ____________________