Calendar No. 630

104TH CONGRESS

2D SESSION H. J. RES. 158

JOINT RESOLUTION

To recognize the Peace Corps on the occasion of its

served as Peace Corps volunteers.35th anniversary and the Americans who have

SEPTEMBER 25, 1996

Reported with amendments, an amendment to the

preamble, and an amendment to the title
II

Calendar No. 630

104TH CONGRESS

2D SESSION H. J. RES. 158

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

MARCH 27 (legislative day, MARCH 26), 1996

Received; read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations

SEPTEMBER 25, 1996

Reported by Mr. HELMS with amendments, an amendment to the preamble,

and an amendment to the title

[Omit the part struck through and insert the part printed in italic]

JOINT RESOLUTION

To recognize the Peace Corps on the occasion of its 35th

anniversary and the Americans who have served as Peace

Corps volunteers.

Whereas the Peace Corps has become a powerful symbol of

America’s commitment to expand hope, create opportunity, and encourage development at the grass roots

level in the developing world;

Whereas more than 140,000 Americans have served as Peace

Corps volunteers in more than 125 countries in Africa,

Asia and the Pacific, Central Asia, Eastern and Central

Europe, and the Western Hemisphere since 1961, and

have strengthened the ties of friendship and understand-
2

HJ 158 RS

ing between the people of the United States and those of

other countries;

Whereas Peace Corps volunteers have made significant and

lasting contributions around the world in agriculture,

business development, education, the environment, health,

and youth development, and have improved the lives of

individuals and communities around the world;

Whereas Peace Corps volunteers, enriched by their experiences overseas, have brought to their communities

throughout the United States a deeper understanding of

other cultures and traditions;

Whereas Peace Corps volunteers embody and represent many

of America’s most enduring values, such as service, commitment to the poor, and friendship among nations;

Whereas the Peace Corps continues to receive broad, bipartisan support in Congress and from the American people;

Whereas members of the House and Senate were greatly

saddened by the recent death of Loret Miller Ruppe,

the longest serving director of the Peace Corps;

Whereas Loret Ruppe’s inspirational vision, dedication

and leadership revitalized the Peace Corps as she

began or revived programs in Sri Lanka, Haiti, Burundi, Guinea-Bissau, Chad, Equatorial Guinea and

the Cape Verde Islands; energized a new generation of

Americans to accept the challenge of serving in the

Corps; refocused the Corps on its mission of development to achieve world peace and did a great service

to America and to the millions of the world’s citizens

touched by her efforts; and

Whereas March 1, 1996 will mark the 35th anniversary of

the founding of the Peace Corps: Now, therefore, be it
3

HJ 158 RS

1 Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives

2 of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

3 That the achievements and contributions of the Peace

4 Corps over the past 35 years be celebrated; that the dedi5 cation and sacrifice of Peace Corps volunteers and of the

6 organization’s longest serving director, Loret Ruppe be rec7 ognized and their the volunteers’ continued contributions

8 be acknowledged not only for their service in other coun9 tries but in their own communities; and that the President

10 is requested to honor Peace Corps volunteers and the

11 memory of their great leader Loret Ruppe and reaffirm our

12 Nation’s commitment to international peace and under13 standing.

Amend the title so as to read: ‘‘A Joint Resolution

to recognize the Peace Corps on the occasion of its 35th

anniversary and the Americans who have served as Peace

Corps volunteers and to honor the memory of former

Peace Corps director Loret Ruppe.’’

Passed the House of Representatives March 26,

1996.

Attest: ROBIN H. CARLE,

Clerk.