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