WHEREAS, President John F. Kennedy signed the Peace Corps Act into law on September 22, 1961, establishing the Peace Corps to promote world peace and friendship through community-based development and intercultural understanding; and

 

WHEREAS, since its establishment, more than 240,000 Americans have served as Peace Corps Volunteers in 144 countries, advancing the Peace Corps' three goals of meeting the need for trained people, promoting a better understanding of Americans abroad, and promoting a better understanding of other peoples among Americans; and

 

WHEREAS, Virginia ranked second among states in total Peace Corps Volunteers in 2025, while Virginia Tech ranked fifth among large colleges and universities and William & Mary ranked third among medium colleges and universities in the Peace Corps' 2026 rankings; and

 

WHEREAS, returned Peace Corps Volunteers who call Virginia home continue their commitment to service through volunteerism, civic engagement, and contributions to communities throughout the Commonwealth; and

 

WHEREAS, Virginia's Peace Corps community strengthens the Commonwealth through service in education, health, environmental conservation, youth development, immigration and refugee resettlement, and other areas of community life;

 

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Abigail D. Spanberger, Governor, do hereby recognize September 22, 2026, as VIRGINIA PEACE CORPS DAY in the COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA, and I call this observance to the attention of all our citizens;