Peace Corps Anniversary

Floor Speech

Ms. MURKOWSKI. Madam President, Sunday marked the 48th anniversary of the Peace Corps. As we wrap up Peace Corps Week here in the United States, I would like take this opportunity to extend my heartfelt congratulations and appreciation to all current and former volunteers.

Since its creation in 1961, approximately 190,000 volunteers have served in 139 countries around the world. The fields Peace Corps volunteers work in are as varied as the countries in which they serve, but they offer us a snapshot of the breadth of global development challenges we face as a planet: HIV/AIDs; food security; environmental degradation; expanding the reach of technology; improving access to clean water and sanitation; and providing education and professional opportunities to those who might not otherwise have a chance to go to school or open a business.

Not only the host countries benefit from all the good work these volunteers do. Each of these volunteers gives the United States an opportunity to showcase our values and goals to the rest of the world in a grassroots way. The volunteers have the chance to learn foreign languages, live and work in new cultures, and develop skills which will aid them in their future careers. The skills these intrepid volunteers learn during their tours will also be a credit to the United States in the future as they return home and put their on-the-ground knowledge to work in the States.

I am delighted to see that the spirit of this movement is still strong with Alaskans. This year, 32 Alaskans are serving in 27 different countries on five different continents in fields ranging from health to education to agriculture to small business development. When they return to Alaska it will be with the knowledge that they can achieve any task set before them with innovation and hard work. I am excited to see what great things they will do next for our State and the Nation as a whole.

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