[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 3]
[Senate]
[Page 3041]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




         CELEBRATION OF THE 44TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE PEACE CORPS

  Mr. SARBANES. Mr. President, today it is my privilege to recognize 
the outstanding accomplishments of the Peace Corps as it celebrates its 
44th anniversary this week.
  Throughout the years, the Peace Corps has endured as one of the most 
important forces in our Nation's public diplomacy. At its founding in 
1961, President Kennedy remarked, ``The initial reactions to the Peace 
Corps proposal are convincing proof that we have, in this country, an 
immense reservoir of such men and women--anxious to sacrifice their 
energies and time and toil to the cause of world peace and human 
progress.'' Forty-four years on, the tireless efforts of thousands of 
Peace Corps volunteers have borne out President Kennedy's vision of 
service to the global community.
  Today, nearly 8,000 Americans serving in 72 nations around the world 
play a vital role in the advancement of education, health care, HIV/
AIDS education, and community and agricultural development. And because 
of its volunteers' ability and willingness to fully integrate into 
their host communities, the Peace Corps has become a leader in 
implementing new strategies for development, such as promoting 
community-based small businesses and microenterprise projects. Aided by 
these innovations, our volunteers continue to succeed in their mission 
of helping those most in need while promoting goodwill between 
Americans and the people they serve. In this time of global adversity, 
we cannot underestimate the contributions of the Peace Corps toward the 
causes of equality, opportunity, and peace.
  As the Peace Corps embarks on its next 44 years, it will no doubt 
remain in the forefront of our efforts to expand prosperity and mutual 
understanding. I extend my congratulations to the Peace Corps and wish 
it every success in the future.
  Mr. FEINGOLD. Mr. President, I am pleased to commemorate the 44th 
anniversary of the Peace Corps. For decades now, Peace Corps volunteers 
have generously and honorably served our country by working to build an 
understanding between the U.S. and foreign nations, and to create 
better lives for people around the world. Peace Corps volunteers 
reflect many of the very best impulses of the American people, and I am 
pleased to honor these volunteers of all backgrounds and ages. I am 
especially proud to commend the 252 sworn-in volunteers from Wisconsin. 
Since the Peace Corps' inception in 1961, the people of the State of 
Wisconsin have served as an important foundation for this program. The 
University of Wisconsin-Madison provided a training camp for new 
volunteers during the 1960s and over 2,600 of its alumni have 
participated in this program. UW Madison is second in the Nation in the 
number of current serving volunteers, 142. Wisconsin has an historic 
legacy in the Peace Corps, and I commend those who have done Wisconsin 
proud.
  In 1960, President Kennedy challenged Americans to serve their 
country by living and working in developing countries. His vision 
continues to inspire generations. Today, over 178,000 Americans have 
answered his call by joining the Peace Corps. When I have the 
opportunity to travel abroad, I am amazed by the lasting impact that 
this organization and these eager men and women have had around the 
world.
  Serving in 138 countries, Peace Corps volunteers contribute to 
developing countries, as varied as Ecuador, Mauritania, Azerbaijan, 
Bangladesh, and Tonga, through a range of talents and skills, from 
serving as teachers to agriculture workers to HIV/AIDS educators. I am 
particularly impressed that over 3,100 volunteers specifically work to 
combat global HIV/AIDS. I have traveled to Africa to see up close the 
devastation this international pandemic has caused, and I continue to 
be active on this important and urgent issue. I commend all the men and 
women volunteers who selflessly work to better communities around the 
world.
  On March 1, 2005, as the Peace Corps celebrates its 44th anniversary, 
its work is particularly relevant to the challenges before our country 
and our world today. It is so important for Americans to become 
involved in world affairs, especially through programs such as the 
Peace Corps. Former Secretary of State Colin Powell and his successor 
Condoleezza Rice both acknowledge that Americans must make a serious 
investment in reaching across borders and turning around growing anti-
American sentiments abroad. I am constantly impressed by Peace Corps 
volunteers who devote themselves to personally bridging the gap between 
people of our country and those beyond our borders, proving by their 
work our country's commitment to positive changes and mutual 
understanding. These volunteers amplify the effects of their service 
when they share their Peace Corps stories and experiences with people 
back home--with family and friends, in corresponding with classrooms, 
or in recruiting new volunteers to carry the Peace Corps mission 
forward.
  I congratulate Peace Corps and its volunteers for 44 years of 
effective and admirable service, and I urge all of my colleagues to 
continue to work to support this unique and inspiring organization.

                          ____________________