August 1, 2008

Embassy Press Release

Remarks of Ambassador Nicholas F. Taubman on the Occasion of the Swearing-In of Peace Corps Volunteers

In a ceremony at Toma Caragiu Theater (Ploiesti), U.S. Ambassador Nicholas Taubman swore in 39 new Peace Corps Volunteers who will serve in Romania for the next two years. With this ceremony, the Volunteers will start their 24 month assignments throughout the country. The Volunteers have been in Ploiesti for the past 10 weeks undergoing intensive training in Romanian language, culture and history. During their training the Volunteers have lived with Romanian host families.

Ploiesti, Romania
August 1, 2008

Ken,
Peace Corps Romania staff,
Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

Ambassador Taubman and Peace Corps Volunteers. Ploiesti, August 1, 2008 (Ana Maria Popa, Public Diplomacy Office).

It is a great pleasure for me to be here with you today on such an important occasion. Thank you for inviting me. I am always pleased to have the opportunity to participate in Peace Corps activities.

I’d like to echo Ken’s comments and start by thanking the PC/Romania Training Staff, the city of Ploesti and the gazdas who have hosted the trainees for the past 10 weeks. Without your efforts and hospitality we would not have the opportunity to celebrate this wonderful occasion.

For the past 18 years, over 950 Peace Corps Volunteers have worked hand in hand with Romanian host agencies, schools, communities and citizens to improve the quality of life in Romania, as well as to increase understanding of our two countries and cultures. Peace Corps is a unique form of foreign assistance, and a unique and valued part of the United States mission in Romania.

I would like to address my remarks today to the soon-to-be new Volunteers. I have tremendous admiration for the work that you all will be doing in the months and years ahead. I want you to know how much I respect your commitment to service and your willingness to live and work for two years in another country, thousands of miles away from family and friends.

English education, particularly in rural and underserved communities, is a development priority in Romania. This need was highlighted this past June during Peace Corps Director Tschetter’s historic visit to Romania. During his meeting with Prime Minister Tariceanu, the two had the chance to discuss PC’s history in Romania, but more importantly, the future of the PC here. Both men agreed that English Education in rural and underserved communities can and should be the focus of the agency in the coming years.

Your efforts to meet the 1st goal of the agency, providing technical assistance to interested Romanian communities and organizations, represents some of the best of what the United States can and should offer in the world.

Peace Corps’ second goal is also vital. The need for the world to understand what America and Americans represent is important and as Peace Corps Volunteers, you have the ability to shape the view of our country and our culture more than just about anyone. Personally, I believe that the values and ideals of the Peace Corps represent the best that America has to offer and encourage you to challenge yourself to be great “unofficial Ambassadors” of the United States.

As compensation, you will complete the 3rd goal of the Peace Corps and learn about another culture in depth, something that Peace Corps service can provide unlike any other experience. Romania is a wonderful country in which to serve in this regard. With such an incredible history and rich culture, you will have much to learn, and great opportunities to share your knowledge with friends and family in the United States.

Think not only of your formal interactions with your students, co-workers and colleagues, but also the informal and daily interactions you will have with your neighbors, people in the piata or your seatmate on the train.

The United States of America actively supports volunteerism. At the Romanian level, both I and my colleagues at the United States Embassy in Bucharest are committed to supporting the efforts of our Peace Corps program and Volunteers so that the United States mission in Romania can contribute as much as possible to a bright future for this country.

It gives me great pleasure to congratulate you on successfully completing your pre-service training. You have worked hard over the past 10 weeks to prepare yourself for the challenges ahead and I know that you approach your assignments with a dedication to service and a clear understanding that you have a great deal to learn from the people you are here to serve.

I certainly look forward to hearing about the contributions you will be making to Romania. Congratulations to all of you and please accept my best wishes for a wonderful two years.

Now, I’d like the new Volunteers to stand and raise their right hands and repeat after me:

I (your name), do solemnly swear that I will defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies foreign and domestic, and that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same, that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion, and that I will well and faithfully discharge my duties in the Peace Corps (so help me God).

Congratulations to all of you.

Related links:
Peace Corps Romania WebSite

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