[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 2]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 2899]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




              TRIBUTE TO THE PEACE CORPS 47TH ANNIVERSARY

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                         HON. RAUL M. GRIJALVA

                               of arizona

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, February 28, 2008

  Mr. GRIJALVA. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 47th 
anniversary of the Peace Corps.
  Since 1961, when the Peace Corps was created by President John 
Kennedy in Executive Order 10924 and subsequently authorized by the 
Congress, 139 host countries have invited 190,000 Peace Corps 
volunteers into their territories and homes to serve those in need and 
build mutual understanding, cooperation and respect. Peace Corps 
volunteers have contributed to improving health, education and basic 
essential services for an inestimable number of persons in dire need.
  I am proud to say that this year, nine Peace Corps Volunteers from 
the seventh district of Arizona have applied and been chosen to carry 
on this vital legacy, serving abroad over six continents on this ever-
smaller planet.
  Of course, the Peace Corps is a uniquely precious legacy of our 
martyred President, John F. Kennedy. The idea of the Peace Corps is 
forever linked in American hearts to the spirit of those one-thousand 
days that were inaugurated with the words, ``my fellow Americans: ask 
not what your country can do for you--ask what you can do for your 
country.''
  This message still rings out strong and true in this new century. 
Love of country still has a powerful and appropriate role in motivating 
our young people to take up service, and the people of this Nation take 
proper pride in the noble mission carried out by these young women and 
men.
  I also choose to believe that in this new century, we can also take a 
broader view of the challenges facing the global community of nations, 
in the face of global warming and environmental degradation, global 
health pandemics, and denial to billions of the rights enumerated in 
the Universal Declaration Human Rights. I choose to believe that we 
have today a greater capacity to think deeply and act vigorously in 
response to a new call to service: Ask what you can do for your 
neighbor, and for your planet.
  I offer my deepest respect, gratitude and praise for those many 
courageous women and men who have answered this clarion call to 
service, and a special note of recognition to my colleagues, Mr. Farr 
and Mr. Honda and their service to this Nation and to humanity.

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