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.

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