R E S O L U T I O N
 1-1           WHEREAS, The year 2001 marks the 40th anniversary of the
 1-2     Peace Corps, and this noteworthy occasion is most deserving of
 1-3     special legislative recognition in Texas, which is one of the
 1-4     leading states in the provision of Peace Corps volunteers; and
 1-5           WHEREAS, Established by an executive order of President John
 1-6     Fitzgerald Kennedy on March 1, 1961, the Peace Corps has promoted
 1-7     peace and friendship across the globe through its dedicated
 1-8     volunteers, who teach people how to build a brighter future by
 1-9     sharing their expertise in the areas of education, business,
1-10     health, agriculture, and the environment; and
1-11           WHEREAS, The organization strives to contribute to the
1-12     social, economic, and human development of interested countries and
1-13     to increase understanding of Americans among the people whom
1-14     volunteers serve; in addition, the Peace Corps seeks to educate
1-15     citizens from the United States about the world and its peoples;
1-16     and
1-17           WHEREAS, In its infancy, volunteers accepted assignments to
1-18     serve in six countries; since then, more than 162,000 people have
1-19     served in 134 countries, including such distant locales as
1-20     Afghanistan, Burundi, Cameroon, Ethiopia, Estonia, Jamaica,
1-21     Mongolia, Nigeria, Panama, Peru, Samoa, Tanzania, Togo, Zimbabwe,
1-22     and numerous others; and
1-23           WHEREAS, Acting director Charles R. Baquet III, a former
1-24     volunteer in Somalia, has effectively spread the organization's
 2-1     message and played an integral role in meeting its commendable
 2-2     goals; currently, there are approximately 7,300 men and women who
 2-3     are volunteering their time and talents to advance the Peace
 2-4     Corps's estimable mission; and
 2-5           WHEREAS, In conjunction with the Peace Corps's 40th
 2-6     anniversary, returned volunteers are sharing their overseas
 2-7     experiences this March in schools throughout the nation; moreover,
 2-8     many are fulfilling the organization's goal to draw on their
 2-9     service to make a difference in our own country, and their many
2-10     good deeds, both at home and abroad, have had a profound impact on
2-11     countless lives; now, therefore, be it
2-12           RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 77th Texas
2-13     Legislature hereby pay tribute to the Peace Corps on the occasion
2-14     of its 40th anniversary and honor its remarkable volunteers, past
2-15     and present, who have devoted themselves to the furtherance of
2-16     world peace and understanding through their selfless service; and,
2-17     be it further
2-18           RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
2-19     prepared for the delegation of Peace Corps members visiting the
2-20     State Capitol as an expression of high regard by the Texas House of
2-21     Representatives.
                                                                       Green
                                             _______________________________
                                                   Speaker of the House
               I certify that H.R. No. 316 was adopted by the House on March
         6, 2001, by a non-record vote.
                                             _______________________________
                                                 Chief Clerk of the House