Political Quotes

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the 51st anniversary of the Peace Corps. In just 51 years, the Peace Corps has been an unparalleled force for peace. Listen to the numbers: 139 developing countries have been served; over 200,000 returned Peace Corps volunteers and four of those are Members of Congress. Taken together, these volunteers have contributed more than 400,000 years of service in the name of peace. I am proud to be a part of these ranks. The Peace Corps changed my life, and it continues to change the lives of both those who serve and the communities that are served. In 2012, this call to service doesn't show any signs of slowing down. As I speak, 9,095 Americans are serving in 76 countries. This includes my constituent Chase Rollings of Santa Cruz, who is working in Ethiopia teaching the English language for a tour guide association to increase ecotourism and helping women develop honey production and dried fruit projects to promote their income. That is just the work of one volunteer. Today, I honor Chase and hundreds of thousands of other Peace Corps volunteers past and present. Each one of you represents America's highest ideals: peace, prosperity, and friendship. Truly your service is more important today than it has ever been. Congress must fund the Peace Corps. It is the best job in America. ____________________”