WHEREAS, The Peace Corps is an organization guided by committed individuals who provide their leadership and support and, like volunteers, have the same spirit of dedication to the work of the agency; and

WHEREAS, The Peace Corps traces its roots and mission to 1960, when then-Senator John F. Kennedy challenged students at the University of Michigan to serve their country in the cause of peace by living and working in developing countries. From that inspiration grew an agency of the federal government devoted to world peace and friendship; and

WHEREAS, Since that time, more than 210,000 Peace Corps Volunteers have served in more than 139 host countries to work on issues ranging from AIDS education to information technology and environmental preservation; and

WHEREAS, Today's Peace Corps is more vital than ever, contributing to emerging and essential areas such as information technology, business development, and the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS relief. Peace Corps Volunteers continue to help countless individuals who want to build a better life for themselves, their children, and their communities; now, therefore be it

RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations hereby proclaims February 23^rd through March 1^st as "Peace Corps Week" in the State of Rhode Island. We commend the Peace Corps and all those who have served as Peace Corps volunteers for the great contributions they have made to world peace and understanding, for the betterment of the lives of the citizens of the countries where volunteers have served and of our own nation; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to acting director of the Peace Corps, Carrie Hessler-Radelet.