SCR 135: Peace Corps Week.

WHEREAS, The United States Peace Corps, established by President John F. Kennedy on March 1, 1961, by signing Executive Order No. 10924, is celebrating its 65th anniversary in 2026 in recognition of nearly 240,000 Peace Corps volunteers who have served our nation in more than 140 host countries since the program began; and

WHEREAS, The Peace Corps has become an enduring symbol of our nation’s commitment to promoting international peace, encouraging progress, creating opportunity, and expanding development at the grassroots level in the developing world; and

WHEREAS, Peace Corps volunteers have made significant and lasting contributions in agriculture, business development, information technology, education, health, and environmental preservation, and have improved the lives of individuals and communities around the globe; and

WHEREAS, The State of California has contributed 32,503 Peace Corps volunteers, the most of any state, including 329 in 2025; and

WHEREAS, A substantial number of returned Peace Corps volunteers have served as members or staff of the Legislature; and

WHEREAS, Returned Peace Corps volunteers throughout California continue to volunteer on behalf of low-income, underserved Californians; and

WHEREAS, The University of California, Berkeley, ranks first among large colleges and universities for graduates joining the Peace Corps; and

WHEREAS, California has National Peace Corps Association affiliate groups in the Counties of Los Angeles, Orange, San Diego, Santa Barbara, and Ventura and in northern California and the Sacramento Valley; and

WHEREAS, The Legislature recognizes the service of all current and returned Peace Corps volunteers and their work that has helped people all over the world meet their basic needs and promote world peace and friendship, as envisioned by President John F. Kennedy; and

WHEREAS, The Peace Corps Volunteers Congressional Gold Medal Act of 2025, introduced as H.R. 5521 on September 19, 2025, and supported by bipartisan cosponsors, is the highest honor that the United States Congress can bestow on a group of civilians for distinguished service to the United States; and

WHEREAS, Awarding a Congressional Gold Medal will recognize the outstanding achievements of Peace Corps volunteers, will educate our nation about the value of Peace Corps service at the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, and will serve as a significant opportunity to encourage individuals to join the Peace Corps; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Senate of the State of California, the Assembly thereof concurring, That the Legislature does hereby proclaim the week of March 1, 2026, to March 7, 2026, inclusive, as Peace Corps Week, in recognition of the 65th anniversary of the establishment of the United States Peace Corps, and acknowledges all current and former Peace Corps volunteers for their outstanding contributions to their host countries and their successful promotion of global peace and friendship; and be it further

Resolved, That the Legislature does hereby support awarding Peace Corps volunteers a Congressional Gold Medal to honor their distinguished service to the United States; and be it further

Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate transmit copies of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.