[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 156 (2010), Part 2]
[Senate]
[Pages 2759-2760]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                       NATIONAL PEACE CORPS WEEK

  Mr. AKAKA. Mr. President, in the early 1960s, President John F. 
Kennedy inspired Americans to serve their country in the cause of peace 
by living and working in developing countries throughout the world. 
From that inspiration grew an agency devoted to world peace and 
friendship. The Peace Corps has become an enduring symbol of our 
Nation's commitment to encourage progress, create opportunity, and 
expand development at the grass-roots level in the developing world. In 
gratitude of the nearly 200,000 volunteers who have made significant 
contributions to improve the lives of people in over 139 countries 
during the last 49 years, I would like the Senate to recognize the 
Peace Corps and its celebration of National Peace Corps Week.
  National Peace Corps Week is being held from March 1 through March 7, 
2010. During this time, celebratory and educational events will occur 
across the country to pay tribute to the Peace Corps' positive 
influence on communities here at home and abroad. Thousands of current 
and former Peace Corps volunteers will participate in activities that 
advance the Peace Corps' goals of improving Americans' understanding of 
other peoples and improving other peoples' understanding of Americans 
in countries where the Peace Corps serves. The momentous work of Peace 
Corps volunteers toward these goals represents a legacy of service that 
has become a significant part of America's history and positive image 
abroad.
  Throughout its history, the Peace Corps has adapted and responded to 
the issues of the times. In a constantly changing world, Peace Corps 
volunteers have met new and difficult challenges with creativity, 
determination, innovation and compassion in places such as Africa, 
Asia, the Caribbean, Central and South America, Europe, the Pacific 
Islands and the Middle East. Volunteers have made momentous and 
enduring contributions in agriculture, business development, 
information technology, education, the environment, health and HIV/AIDS 
awareness and prevention. Peace Corps volunteers are able to make these 
tremendous contributions through learning more than 250 languages and 
dialects and receiving extensive cross-cultural training that enables 
them to function effectively at a professional level in different 
cultural settings.
  It should be noted that in the area of HIV/AIDS awareness and 
prevention, Peace Corps volunteers provide hope and meaningful 
assistance to those affected by this terrible disease. The tireless 
efforts and dedication of volunteers have made the Peace Corps a key 
partner in the global response to the HIV/AIDS pandemic. Peace Corps 
volunteers are uniquely suited to work in HIV/AIDS awareness and 
prevention because they are trained in the local language, live and 
work in the communities where they serve, and know how to share 
information in a culturally appropriate way.
  The Peace Corps and its volunteers continue the tradition of making a 
difference to improve the lives of millions of people around the world. 
Peace Corps volunteers will arrive in Indonesia in the spring of 2010 
and will work as English teachers in high schools and at teacher 
training institutions. In mid-2010, Peace Corps volunteers will return 
to Sierra Leone after a 16-year absence to focus on secondary education 
and work with their host communities on grassroots initiatives and 
community development projects.
  In conclusion, I want to take this opportunity to personally thank 
the nearly 7,700 Peace Corps volunteers who are currently making 
significant and lasting contributions in 76 countries. Among them I 
want to recognize the 29 Peace Corps volunteers from the State of 
Hawaii who are serving in such diverse places as Zambia, Botswana, 
Micronesia, China, Morocco and Kyrgyzstan. I am extremely proud of 
their service and contribution.
  I take great pleasure in recognizing the achievements of the Peace 
Corps, honoring its volunteers, and reaffirming our country's 
commitment to helping people help themselves throughout the world.
  Mrs. SHAHEEN. Mr. President, I rise today to commemorate National 
Peace Corps Week and to honor the thousands of Americans who serve as 
Peace Corps volunteers throughout the world.
  The Peace Corps was founded on the ideal that each of us has the 
responsibility to serve our country and leave our world in a better 
place than we found it. Peace Corps volunteers provide innovation, 
creativity, determination, and compassion in an ever-changing world, 
advancing U.S. interests and the global good. These volunteers 
exemplify the true meaning of service to a greater cause and 
contributing to the well-being of those in need around the world.
  Since the Peace Corps' founding in 1961 by President John F. Kennedy, 
nearly 200,000 U.S. citizens have chosen to serve their country as 
Peace Corps volunteers in 139 countries around the world. Today, nearly 
8,000 Peace Corps volunteers serve abroad in 76 different countries, 
providing critical education, expertise, and development assistance to 
the poor and impoverished across the globe. Their willingness to 
dedicate themselves toward the laudable goal of assisting those in need 
and strengthening the image of America makes them deserving of our 
respect and admiration.
  In my own home State of New Hampshire, 48 volunteers have heard the 
call and are currently devoting their time, energy, and lives to 
fulfilling the vision of President Kennedy and serving abroad in the 
cause of peace. They are placed throughout the developing world--from 
Cambodia to Guatemala to Kazakhstan--making significant and lasting 
contributions toward the health, education, and development in the 
places where these things are often needed most.
  I seek recognition of each of these citizen ambassadors and the many 
Peace Corps volunteers from New Hampshire that have served since 1961. 
In honor of their efforts, I will ask consent that the attached list of 
current New Hampshire volunteers be printed in the Congressional 
Record. New Hampshire is proud of your service, and we will continue to 
stand behind you and express thanks for your assistance.
  In today's interdependent world, American security and prosperity are 
inextricably linked to the security and prosperity of people in the 
developing world. Peace Corps volunteers work on the front lines in our 
battle for hearts and minds around the globe. They serve as teachers, 
business professionals, health educators, agricultural and 
environmental specialists, management and information technology 
advisors, and mentors and friends to citizens across the globe. As the 
administration plans to double the size of the Peace Corps in the years 
to come, it is critical to remember that these unofficial ambassadors 
have become enduring symbols of our nation's commitment to progress, 
opportunity, and

[[Page 2760]]

grass-roots development in the far corners of the world.
  Upon the completion of their service abroad, these volunteers then 
return home to promote a better understanding here in America of the 
culture, language and viewpoint of those they have served. In our 21st 
century world, where the threats and challenges that confront America 
and the global community cannot be overcome by the might of our 
military alone, Peace Corps volunteers are laying the foundation for a 
more secure, prosperous, and compassionate world. In honor of National 
Peace Corps Week and in celebration of the Peace Corps' 49th 
anniversary, I would like to recognize those volunteers from New 
Hampshire, as well as all past and current Peace Corps volunteers, for 
their commitment to fostering a better world for future generations.
  As a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and the chair 
of the Foreign Relations Subcommittee on European Affairs, I will work 
with our allies and friends throughout the world in the development of 
an American foreign policy that matches the passion and commitment to 
service of our Peace Corps volunteers abroad.
  Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent to have the list of current 
New Hampshire volunteers to which I referred printed in the Record.
  There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in 
the Record, as follows:

                                SWORN-IN VOLUNTEERS IN THE STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
                                             Senator: Jeanne Shaheen
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
            Volunteer name                Country of service     Start of service date      Projected COS date
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Abrams, Hillary H....................  South Africa...........  17-Sep-2009............  16-Sep-2011
Ankarberg, Denise Y..................  China..................  28-Aug-2009............  02-Sep-2011
Bardo, Johanna E.....................  Suriname...............  01-Aug-2008............  31-Jul-2010
Bardo, Nicholas W....................  China..................  12-May-2006............  25-Aug-2010
Barker, Lisa B.......................  Cambodia...............  25-Sep-2009............  12-Aug-2011
Bootland, Diane C....................  Belize.................  29-Oct-2008............  22-Oct-2010
Cahill, Michael P....................  Mali...................  12-Sep-2008............  11-Sep-2010
Campbell, Adam S.....................  Morocco................  19-May-2008............  19-May-2010
Clark, Samantha A....................  Kazakhstan.............  31-Oct-2009............  30-Oct-2011
Coes, Casey P........................  Morocco................  19-May-2008............  03-Sep-2010
Cook, Catherine A....................  Suriname...............  29-Jul-2009............  28-Jul-2011
Costanza, Danielle M.................  Nicaragua..............  31-Jul-2009............  29-Ju1-2011
Croteau-Frechet, Sydney A............  Swaziland..............  27-Aug-2009............  26-Aug-2011
Daigneault, Jacqueline A.............  Togo...................  03-Dec-2009............  02-Dec-2011
Drapcho, Amanda C....................  Gambia.................  18-Apr-2008............  17-Apr-2010
Estabrook, Kate P....................  Suriname...............  01-Aug-2008............  31-Jul-2010
Evans, Nicole A......................  Lesotho................  08-Jan-2009............  23-Jan-2011
Fiorino, Amanda J....................  Mongolia...............  19-Aug-2009............  18-Aug-2011
Fosher, Steven J.....................  Morocco................  29-Apr-2009............  29-Apr-2011
Frechette, David K...................  Swaziland..............  27-Aug-2009............  26-Aug-2011
Fredenburg, Angus T..................  Nicaragua..............  23-Nov-2009............  18-Nov-2011
Geller, Amanda L.....................  Guatemala..............  18-Jul-2008............  17-Jul-2010
Gross, Brendan S.....................  Mali...................  10-Sep-2009............  11-Sep-2011
Guthro, Kaitlyn A....................  Kyrgyzstan.............  18-Sep-2008............  17-Sep-2010
Hannon, Mark F.......................  Mali...................  12-Sep-2008............  11-Sep-2010
Hannon, Samantha B...................  Mali...................  12-Sep-2008............  11-Sep-2010
Hendel, Sarah J......................  Turkmenistan...........  05-Dec-2008............  05-Dec-2010
Jacobson, Gloria J...................  Fiji...................  23-Jul-2009............  22-Jul-2011
Joyce, Judith A......................  Eastern Caribbean......  17-Oct-2008............  15-Oct-2010
Keniston, Charlotte S................  Guatemala..............  31-Oct-2008............  30-Oct-2010
King, Amy E..........................  Azerbaijan.............  09-Dec-2009............  08-Dec-2011
Mackie, Laura K......................  Ukraine................  18-Jun-2008............  17-Jun-2010
McGlone, Michael R...................  Fiji...................  24-Jul-2008............  30-Ju1-2010
Mclaughlin, Matt.....................  Senegal................  17-Nov-2006............  14-Dec-2009
Melvin, Adam T.......................  Jordan.................  04-Sep-2008............  09-Sep-2010
Netsch, Kathryn S....................  Kyrgyzstan.............  18-Sep-2008............  17-Sep-2010
O'Neil, Beth J.......................  Armenia................  13-Aug-2009............  13-Aug-2011
Rhodes, James R......................  Suriname...............  29-Jul-2009............  28-Jul-2011
Sehovich, Jessica N..................  Ukraine................  18-Jun-2008............  17-Jun-2010
Sullivan, Steven W...................  Senegal................  07-Nov-2008............  09-Nov-2010
Thompson, Jonathan D.................  Benin..................  25-Sep-2009............  25-Sep-2011
Tostenson, Bradley J.................  Kyrgyzstan.............  10-Jun-2009............  09-Jun-2011
Tuttle, Christian P..................  China..................  28-Aug-2009............  02-Sep-2011
UlIrich, Valerie L...................  Ukraine................  18-Jun-2009............  17-Jun-2011
Vinson, Laura M......................  Ecuador................  29-Aug-2008............  27-Aug-2010
Wiggum, Candice D....................  Macedonia..............  26-Nov-2009............  25-Nov-2011
Wilkinson, Amy T.....................  Uganda.................  22-Apr-2009............  21-Apr-2011
Wrocklage, James W...................  Azerbaijan.............  09-Dec-2009............  08-Dec-2011
    Total Volunteers: 48.............
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