Booker, Tillis Introduce Resolution Celebrating 65 Years of the Peace Corps and Honoring Nearly 250,000 Americans Who Answered the Call to Serve

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Thom Tillis (R-NC) introduced a resolution celebrating the 65th anniversary of the Peace Corps and commending its volunteers for more than six decades of public service focused on enhancing U.S. global leadership, strengthening international stability, empowering communities, and expanding people-to-people ties. U.S. Representatives John Garamendi (D-CA-08) and Aumua Amata Coleman Radewagen (R-American Samoa) introduced a companion resolution in the House. Since President John F. Kennedy issued his historic call to service and established the Peace Corps on March 1, 1961, nearly 250,000 Americans have served as volunteers in 144 countries. They have worked side by side with local communities to advance education, health, agriculture, environmental resilience, youth development, and economic opportunity. That work has built lasting partnerships around the world, promoting global stability and American values beyond what can be achieved through traditional policy measures alone. "For 65 years, the Peace Corps has sent some of our nation's best ambassadors across the world," said Senator Booker. "Nearly a quarter of a million Americans have taken on 'the toughest job you'll ever love,' teaching in classrooms, strengthening health systems, and helping communities, often in remote and hard-to-reach areas, build their own futures. Their service makes our country safer, our workforce stronger, and our democracy richer. As we mark this milestone, we must not only honor that legacy but recommit to it, so that the next generation of Americans can answer the same call." By strengthening international stability, promoting economic growth, and addressing the root causes of conflict through education and community development, Peace Corps volunteers have advanced U.S. national security while improving lives. This resolution also highlights the value returned volunteers bring home. Their language, cultural, and technical skills strengthen the U.S. workforce, expand America's global competency, and enhance the nation's diplomatic and economic competitiveness. Peace Corps service has also inspired generations of Americans to pursue careers in public service, education, diplomacy, health, and economic development. This has created a lasting pipeline of globally minded civic leaders. The resolution: Celebrates the 65th anniversary of the founding of the Peace Corps; Honors the nearly 250,000 individuals who have served as Peace Corps volunteers for their dedication to peace, friendship, and community-driven development; and Commends the Peace Corps' enduring mission to put purpose, passion, and skills to work for the United States and the world. The full text of the resolution is available here .