Tony Hall: “Since 1961, when President John F. Kennedy signed an Executive order establishing the Peace Corps, 140,000 men and women…”

“Since 1961, when President John F. Kennedy signed an Executive order establishing the Peace Corps, 140,000 men and women have represented America by volunteering in 125 countries around the world. I am proud to say that I am among that number. For me, the Peace Corps represents the best that this Government has to offer. When we bring together dedicated, energetic people and arm them with tools to work in foreign communities as ambassadors of peace, things happen--people's lives improve--and we all benefit. Today, nearly 7,000 such dedicated individuals are serving as Peace Corps volunteers in 94 different countries. They are improving the environmental, agricultural, and business infrastructures in those nations. They are educating the children, caring for the sick, and teaching the poorest of the poor how to help themselves. But, most importantly, these volunteers are the face of America for people across the globe. They are people-to-people diplomats building a peaceful world from the ground up. But, it's not easy. I know first-hand the challenges and difficulties that these Peace Corps volunteers face. I also know the tremendous rewards. My Peace Corps experience changed my life.”