ms. puzey and the other witnesses who are coming forward to talk about some thing which cannot be that easy to talk about in such a public setting. we much appreciate your courage in doing this. this year, as you noted, march the 50th anniversary of the peace corps. since its founding, nearly 200,000 volunteers have served in 139 countries around the world, providing community-based development, shared american values and enriching their nation by bringing knowledge about other countries and cultures back to the united states. the distinguished list of peace corps alumni includes 15 members of congress, four current members, cabinet members, ambassadors, journalists, scientists, educators and many other leaders in their fields, making an impact around the world country and globe. no agency was such a modest budget has done more than the peace corps to extend america's presence in nearly every part of the world. for that reason, it has enjoyed the strong support of both republican and democratic

and i've heard the appreciation of ms. puzey, for those efforts. and i know that we can't and will have to go further, but i just want you all to know that on a bipartisan basis we continue to support the peace corps, as did each and every one of you. but we're also going to make sure that, god forbid -- first of all, we're going to do everything we can to try to make sure that we are cognizant of risks and dangers, and we're going to minimize them. the goal being try to get to zero risk. we know that's an elusive goal but that ought to be what we're always pushing ourselves toward. and then should something happen, the full force of compassion and resources of the peace corps, and, indeed, of the united states government are behind you and your families. thank you for your testimony today, and i yield back. >> thank you very much. ms. buerkle. >> thank you, madam chair. and i would like to thank all of our panelists today from coming here and for sharing your testimony as a woman and a mother of four children, grandmother of three, granddaughters,

ms. puzey, our hearts go out to you and your family. i hope this hearing give you some comfort that your daughter's memory is not lost. working together, we can try to make the peace corps stronger and more compassionate in her memory. i have worked with the peace corps for a long time here on the hill. i have travelled to many peace corps missions abroad and met with many volunteers. your stories are another side to the peace corps that obviously troubles all of us. we cannot make everybody 100% safe everywhere. it is not that kind of world. frankly, the work of the peace corps puts people in much riskier situations. i have a daughter at a university here in america. sadly, what you described sometimes occurs on u.s. campuses as well. but there is counseling. there are training and awareness programs. there are prevention programs. what troubles me the most about your testimony was that there was lacking in standards of compassion. when someone signs up as a volunteer in the family supports the effort, understanding the risks, and god