Remarks

New Building Inauguration

Peace Corps Bangladesh

March 10, 2005 

As-salaamu alaikum, namaskar and good afternoon. 

We come together today to extend congratulations to Peace Corps Bangladesh on a beautiful new office complex. Selecting, preparing and moving into this new facility was an immense challenge for the Peace Corps staff, but I think we can all see that it has been worth the effort.  

More than a new building, however, I would like to take this opportunity to recognize the critical service Peace Corps Volunteers perform in Bangladesh.

Through their activities in English language instruction, community development, health education and many other fields, the 91 Peace Corps volunteers in Bangladesh today exemplify the ideology of the Peace Corps. As President Kennedy said upon establishing the Peace Corps in 1961, “every young American who participates in the Peace Corps… know[s] that he or she is sharing in the great common task of bringing to man that decent way of life which is the foundation of freedom and a condition of peace.”

So, congratulations on a new building, congratulations on a job well done and best of luck in continuing the outstanding work we have all come to expect from you. 

Thank you.

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Note:  A Bangla translation of this article is also available from the American Center.  If you are interested in the translation, please call the American Center Press Section (Tel: 8813440-4, Fax: 9881677; e-mail: DhakaPA@state.gov; Website:  dhaka.usembassy.gov)