WHEREAS, more than 182,000 Americans have served as Peace Corps Volunteers in 138 countries since 1961; and

      WHEREAS, over the past 45 years, 1,088 men and women from the State of Idaho have responded to our nation’s call to serve by joining the Peace Corps; and

      WHEREAS, Peace Corps Volunteers have made significant and lasting contributions around the world in agriculture, business development, information technology, education, health and HIV/AIDS, and the environment, and have improved the lives of individuals and communities around the world; and

      WHEREAS, Peace Corps Volunteers have strengthened the ties of friendship and understanding between the people of the United States and those of other countries; and

      WHEREAS, Peace Corps Volunteers, enriched by their experiences overseas, have brought their communities throughout the United States a deeper understanding of other cultures and traditions, thereby bringing a domestic dividend to our nation; and

     WHEREAS, it is indeed fitting to recognize the achievements of the Peace Corps and honor its Volunteers, past and present, and reaffirm our country’s commitment to helping people help themselves throughout the world;

      NOW, THEREFORE, I, DIRK KEMPTHORNE, Governor of the State of Idaho, do hereby proclaim February 27 through March 5, 2006, to be

PEACE CORPS WEEK

in Idaho.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused to be affixed the Great Seal of the State of Idaho at the Capitol in Boise on this twenty- seventh day of February in the year of our Lord two-thousand and six and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred thirtieth and of the Statehood of Idaho the one hundred sixteenth.

BEN YSURSA
SECRETARY OF STATE