[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 2]
[Senate]
[Page 2381]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                        HONORING THE PEACE CORPS

  Mr. PRYOR. Mr. President, today I wish to honor National Peace Corps 
Week and the 47th anniversary of the Peace Corps. I add my voice to 
celebrate the hard working men and women who volunteer for Peace Corps 
service.
  As an Arkansan and a believer in Senator J. William Fulbright's 
legacy, I consider this program to be one of the most important 
mechanisms we have to encourage international cooperation, peace, and 
security. I believe we are morally obliged to help those in need around 
the world and work to reduce poverty in order to fight global 
epidemics, to enhance education, and to reduce hunger.
  I am continually heartened by the good works of Arkansans in the 
State, Nation, and abroad. Our State has a storied history of service, 
and I am pleased that there are 36 Arkansans currently serving as Peace 
Corps volunteers in Africa, Eastern Europe, Asia, and Latin America. I 
am proud to say that Arkansas is also home to one of the pioneering 
families of the Peace Corps, Carolyn and the late Bob Moffett. Inspired 
by President Kennedy's challenge to the American people, Bob entered 
into service as a volunteer in the summer of 1962. Carolyn was with Bob 
every step of the way and devoted her life to taking care of her family 
and the other volunteers; hosting holidays, weddings, and even 
funerals.
  But Bob and Carolyn are just one story in the 47 years of Peace Corps 
history. Working in the fields of education, health and HIV/AIDS, the 
environment, youth, agriculture, information technology, and business 
development, 190,000 brave men and women, serving in 139 countries, 
have dedicated over 2 years of their lives to make significant 
achievements, enriching the lives of others and serving their country.
  In these uncertain times, Peace Corps volunteers remain committed to 
the goals of international peace, friendship, and understanding by 
sharing their unparalleled experience to those back home. I pray that 
the good work of these and other Peace Corps volunteers will raise 
awareness and that others will be called to follow their good example.
  For the record, I would like to submit the names of the 36 Arkansans 
currently serving in the Peace Corps. They are John Armstrong, Amanda 
Barker, Anthony Barnum, Melanie Berman, Susan Boswell Pierce, Robert 
Bryant, Allyson Carr, Adam Carson, Garrard Conley, Erin Gibbs, Jared 
Gillis, Laurel Gladish, Allison Green, Rebecca Hedges, Cameron 
Highsmith, Brian Hilburn, Joseph Hill, James Hollins, Jenny Hurst, 
Julia Jones, Adelia Kittrell, Nicholas Klinger, Theodis Lever, Tara 
Loftis, Stanley Luker, Jennifer Lusk, Daniel McGinley, Joshua Mosley, 
Danielle Rinke, Mary Rinnert, Rebecca Robinson, Deborah Romes, Christin 
Spradley, Kristen Straw, Jackson Taylor, Nikolette Williams. I thank 
them all for their devoted service to their country and steadfast 
dedication to improving the lives of the disadvantaged.

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