Section 1 Findings
Congress makes the following findings:
The Peace Corps was created by President John F. Kennedy on March 1, 1961, for Americans to serve their country in the cause of peace by living and working in developing countries.
The Peace Corps has become an enduring symbol of America's commitment to promoting prosperity and progress in the developing world.
Peace Corps volunteers have deepened the ties of goodwill, friendship, and mutual understanding between the United States and other countries.
Peace Corps volunteers return to the United States with language fluency and deep cross-cultural experience that enhances America's international standing.
Over 210,000 Americans from all 50 States have served at the request of 139 countries as Peace Corps volunteers over more than 50 years.
More than 8,000 Peace Corps volunteers currently serve in 76 host countries in Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, Eastern Europe/Central Asia, Latin America, North Africa/Middle East, and the Pacific Islands.
Peace Corps volunteers work with local communities in developng countries to promote sustainable development and local capacity building.
Peace Corps volunteers have made significant and lasting contributions around the globe in education, public health and HIV/AIDS relief, agriculture, youth development, the environment, and business development.
As of 2013, 25 additional countries have requested Peace Corps volunteers and existing host countries have requested an increase in the number of Peace Corps volunteers.
After more than five decades of service, the Peace Corps continues to reaffirm America's commitment to help communities overseas help themselves.