FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Wednesday, November 18, 1998

First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton Swears in 13 New Peace Corps Volunteers in Haiti

Washington, D.C., November 18, 1998—First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton will swear in 13 new Peace Corps volunteers in Haiti on Saturday at U.S. Ambassador Timothy Carney\'s residence in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. Mrs. Clinton has spent the week visiting Honduras, Nicaragua, El Salvador, the Dominican Republic, and Haiti to evaluate the massive devastation caused by Hurricanes Mitch and Georges in the region. Peace Corps volunteers in the affected countries have been assisting with relief efforts, and a large number of Crisis Corps volunteers—experienced and former Peace Corps volunteers—will begin work in the hardest hit countries in a few weeks. "The work of our volunteers is driven by the needs of the communities where they are serving, so they can make a real difference in the lives of people around the world," Peace Corps Director Mark Gearan said. "In Haiti, the Volunteers whom the First Lady will swear in will work with farmers to develop businesses that are ecologically sound, teach environmental awareness, and help governmental and non-profit organizations develop administrative skills." The swearing-in ceremony will include a reception for all volunteers in Haiti, and a display of crafts made by local artisans. A local women\'s group has also been invited to attend. Once the new volunteers have sworn in, there will be 50 Peace Corps volunteers serving in Haiti. Mrs. Clinton has visited hundreds of Peace Corps volunteers in more than a dozen countries around the world, and remains a strong supporter of the Peace Corps. Last year, she swore in 19 new volunteers in Panama. Haiti is one of 134 countries in which the Peace Corps has been active during its 37-year history. Currently, about 6,500 Peace Corps volunteers are working in 80 countries to bring clean water to communities, teach children, protect the environment, help start new small businesses, and prevent the spread of AIDS. Since 1961, more than 150,000 Americans have joined the Peace Corps.—————————————New Peace Corps Volunteers In Haiti To Be Sworn In By First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton On Saturday, November 21
Meghan Armistead, Brooklyn, New York John Crawford, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Anita Enderle, Boulder, Colorado Elizabeth Fogelson, Eugene, Oregon Holly Hassinger, Bradford, Pennsylvania Richard Ireland, Central Point, Oregon Catherine Joyce, Lincoln, Rhode Island Susan Smith, Great Falls, Michigan Elizabeth Trudo, Milwaukie, Oregon Timothy Vogl, Brewster, New York Caroline Weathers, St. George, South Carolina Jared Weaver, Cincinnati, Ohio Brandhi Williamson, San Antonio, Texas

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