[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 2]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 2445]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




            MARKING THE 47TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE PEACE CORPS

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                         HON. CHRIS VAN HOLLEN

                              of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, February 25, 2008

  Mr. VAN HOLLEN. Madam Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to the Peace 
Corps, one of the most important and worthy institutions our country 
has ever established. More than 190,000 Americans have served as Peace 
Corps Volunteers since its inception in 1961 by President John F. 
Kennedy, who inspired Americans to serve their country in the cause of 
peace by living and working in developing countries. I am proud that 34 
of my constituents are currently serving as Volunteers in a number of 
countries around the world, and I wish them well in their worthwhile 
endeavors.
  The Peace Corps brings out the best of the American character. It 
demonstrates to the rest of the world, where misconceptions of the 
United States are too often prevalent, that we are a caring people, 
interested in the well-being of mankind. The Volunteers live in the 
communities in which they serve by working as teachers and development 
experts, and they assist in post-conflict relief and reconstruction 
efforts and health care crises, such as the HIV/AIDS pandemic.
  With the break-up of the former Soviet Union and the emergence of 
many new states around the world, Peace Corps Volunteers are serving in 
more countries than ever before. Volunteers learn more than 250 
languages and dialects, and they receive extensive cross-cultural 
training that enables them to work effectively. In many remote places, 
they are often the only contact that villagers have with Americans. Our 
country owes the Peace Corps Volunteers, who often work under very 
difficult circumstances, a debt of gratitude for their service that has 
improved the image of our country overseas and improved the lives of 
millions of people around the globe.

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