Health, Safety, and Security of Peace Corps Volunteers Act of 2004

HEALTH, SAFETY, AND SECURITY OF PEACE CORPS VOLUNTEERS ACT OF 2004 -- (Extensions of Remarks - June 09, 2004)

SPEECH OF
HON. BETTY McCOLLUM
OF MINNESOTA
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
TUESDAY, JUNE 1, 2004

Ms. MCCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 4060, the Health, Safety, and Security of Peace Corps Volunteers Act of 2004.

The Peace Corps represents our nation's enduring commitment to progress, opportunity, and expanded development-beginning at the grassroots level.

Since 1961, more than 170,000 Peace Corps Volunteers have served in 137 countries to promote the Peace Corps' mission of world peace and friendship.

Volunteers offer skills in education, healthcare, business, agriculture and the environment. They respond to the world's most challenging crises like poverty, hunger and HIV/AIDS. They are to be commended for their sacrifice, their hard work and their commitment to improving the lives of others.

Today, more than 7,500 Peace Corps Volunteers-young and old-serve in 71 countries around the world, including 25 volunteers from my Congressional District.

With an increase in volunteers comes a greater challenge for the Peace Corps to ensure the safety and security of all Volunteers. Expanding the Peace Corps' missions in Africa, the Middle East and other volatile regions increases the chance of criminal activities and requires the dedication of greater time, energy and resources toward safety issues.

H.R. 4060 takes a good step toward strengthening the Peace Corps and making sure all Volunteers are safe. The bill creates a Peace Corps Ombudsman to receive and inquire into complaints, questions, or concerns raised by current or former volunteers or employees of the Peace Corps. This legislation also establishes an Office of Safety and Security within the Peace Corps to help coordinate all security activities. These are important steps which I support.

I believe a Volunteer's safety is both the responsibility of the Peace Corps and the Volunteers themselves. Weeks of safety training and country background preclude any Volunteer's departure overseas and Volunteers are advised of the precautions necessary before integrating into some of the poorest and disparaged communities in the world. As Ambassador and Returned Peace Corps Volunteer, Tony Hall said, "You have to go into the service with your eyes open". Nonetheless, it is appropriate that the House International Relations Committee worked with the Peace Corps to address the needed improvements to security for Volunteers and the Peace Corps has begun implementing these changes.

As a member of the House International Relations Committee and a strong supporter of the Peace Corps, I urge passage of this legislation. We must do everything we can to ensure the mission of the Peace Corps is carried on and our Volunteers are protected.