National Peace Corps Week

NATIONAL PEACE CORPS WEEK

* Ms. WOOLSEY. Madam Speaker, I rise today, during National Peace Corps week, to commemorate the service of the current 7,749 Peace Corp volunteers making long-lasting contributions to communities in 73 countries around the world.

* Forty-six years ago, President John F. Kennedy created the Peace Corps with the aim of enabling ordinary men and women to combat the debilitating effects of poverty, disease, and war in developing countries. More than 187,000 volunteers have served in 139 countries, and it is clear that the Peace Corps' impact has been truly extraordinary.

* The leadership embodied in the Peace Corps Volunteers have helped farmers find new efficient methods for crop production, developed new business plans for economically depressed communities, and inspired countless children by acting as mentors and teachers. Their compassion and commitment to service have led to significant achievements in fostering improved understanding and strengthening the bonds of friendship.

* Peace Corps Volunteers remain committed to addressing some of the world's most pressing problems today. These men and women have offered crucial assistance to communities struggling to halt the spread of HIV/AIDS, to regions devastated by Hurricane Katrina, and to countries rebuilding after deadly tsunamis. For their brave service and dedication, these Volunteers deserve to be commended.

* To date, the 6th District of California has produced almost 400 Peace Corps Volunteers, including the following 28 current volunteers: Troy A. Agron, who is working in Azerbaijan; Caron L. Alarab, Guinea; Carol A. Batz, Tonga; Libby A. Bersot, Botswana; Jennifer M. Busick, Bolivia; Eldon L. Christenson, Guinea; Rustin P. Crandall, Guyana; Joseph P. Deschenes, Albania; Tameron A. Eaton, Eastern Caribbean; Amil A. Gehrke, Georgia; Robyn M. Grahn, Honduras; Donald F. Hesse, Jordan; Jessica D. Holloway, Armenia; Connor J. Kamada, Senegal; Anna F. Kuhn, Tanzania; Abigail M. Lafrenz, Bulgaria; Bridget M. Leddy, Kyrgyzstan; Ana Alecia Lyman, Mozambique; Sydney F. McCall, Bolivia; Morgan C. Montgomery, Honduras; Laura M. Norton, Madagascar; Jordan M. Reeves, Panama; Uriah S. Reisman, Panama; Jacob E. Rich, Peru; Emily C. Ryan, China; Elicia F. Smith, Kenya; Katherine L. Theiss-Nyland, Malawi; Kyla H. Wall-Polin, Bulgaria.

* Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me today to honor the 46th anniversary of the establishment of the Peace Corps and to celebrate the achievements of these passionate men and women who have succeeded in making our world more peaceful.

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