Warner Montgomery during Peace Corps training, 1962 HON. JOE WILS0N OF SOUTH CAROLINA IN THE HOUSE OF

REPRESENTATIVES

Tuesday, March 1, 2005

Mr. Wilson of South Carolina.

Mr. Speaker, the American people are compassionate, generous and eager to help improve the lives of others less fortunate than them. Today I’m honored to recognize the Peace Corps, an organization that provides Americans with an opportunity to promote peace and friendship throughout the world. Since 1961, over 178,000 Peace Corps Volunteers have served in 138 countries. They offer their time and talents by serving as teachers, business advisors, information technology consultants, health and HIV/AIDS educators, and youth and agricultural workers. Their efforts are spreading hope and goodwill, and they are making a positive difference in the lives of millions of people.

Warner Montgomery performs surgery on a leper at McKean Leprosy Hospital in Chiangmai, Thailand. He is being supervised by Dr. Schnorf. In 2002, President Bush challenged Americans to contribute two years or 4,000 hours of service to their community, the nation or the world. I am proud of the 11 volunteers from South Carolina’s Second Congressional District who answered the president’s call to service by joining the Peace Corps: Lindsey Bach, Amanda Bell, Catherine Chesnutt, Jennifer Emmert, Kimberly Hardee, Lydia Lester, Hedda McLendon, Rachelle Olden, Roscoe Oswald, Ashlee Painter, and Kiva Wilson. Their willingness to serve is extraordinary. They follow a tradition of service established by Warner Montgomery of Columbia who was South Carolina’s first Peace Corps volunteer. I congratulate the Peace Corps on its 44th anniversary.