President Bush announced that he is seeking to expand the Peace Corps by doubling its force of volunteers over the next five years to levels it had in the mid 1960s, when it was created during the Kennedy administration.

Bush outlined his initiative February 15 to double the size of the Peace Corps and expand the number of countries in which Peace Corps volunteers are active.

He also announced that a special Peace Corps assessment team will travel to Afghanistan to evaluate needs and opportunities for Peace Corps volunteers to assist the Afghan people in rebuilding their nation.

(Note: More information about the Peace Corps is available on the Internet at www.peacecorps.gov.)

Following is a transcript of Bush's remarks:

(begin transcript)

Office of the Press Secretary February 15

President Announces Plan to Strengthen Peace Corps

REMARKS BY THE PRESIDENT ON THE PEACE CORPS

Dwight D. Eisenhower Executive Office Building 2:12 P.M. EST

The President: Thank you very much. Welcome to the White House.

When America was attacked on September the 11th, they thought our country would splinter into fear and selfishness. They thought we'd fall apart. They thought we didn't have any fiber or character. Instead, we've seen extraordinary acts of courage and compassion, and a renewed dedication to service. A spirit of sacrifice and service gave birth to the Peace Corps more than 40 years ago. We needed the Peace Corps then, and we need the Peace Corps today.

My administration strongly supports the Peace Corps, and we're increasing our commitment to it. That starts by finding somebody who can serve ably as the Director. I have found such a man. I was honored to swear Gaddi in, in the Oval Office -- or watch his swearing-in today in the Oval Office, and I know he'll do a superb job in leading this important organization.

Thank you for leaving your beloved California. Thank you for your sacrifice. And welcome to an administration that wants to do right by the Peace Corps. (Applause.)

I also want to thank Elaine for your sacrifice, as well. I know it's hard to pull up your family and head east, but it's the right thing to do. It's the right thing to do to serve your country. And I'm so honored both of you all have come. And, Jason, thank you for being here, as well, to support your dad.

I want to thank the first Peace Corps Director, who joined us today. I can't thank you enough, Sargent Shriver, for taking time out of your busy schedule to show up here to see this good man assume this important office. We're honored with your presence. We appreciate your service to the country, and thank you for coming. (Applause.)

And we've got another former Director here today, too, a lady who serves in my Cabinet as the Secretary of Labor. She's doing a fabulous job there, just like she did for the Peace Corps, and that's Elaine Chao. Thank you for coming, Elaine. (Applause.)

And Gaddi was such a big draw that he got another member of my Cabinet here, the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, Mel Martinez. Thanks for coming, Mel. I appreciate your being here. (Applause.)

Two members of the United States House of Representatives have joined us: Gaddi's Congressman, Chris Cox -- thank you for coming, Chris. I thank you for being here. And a former volunteer, Tom Petri from Wisconsin. Thank you for coming. (Applause.)

We hear from a lot of members of Congress about the importance of the Peace Corps, but no more clear voice about that than Chris Dodd, the Senator from Connecticut. I look forward to working with Chris to implement our mutual vision for making sure the Peace Corps fulfills its mission and hope.

And speaking about that, I want to thank all the people who work at the Peace Corps -- those who work there now, those who have been volunteers in the past, are current volunteers. We're honored that you serve our nation, and you're welcome here in the White House, and thank you for coming. (Applause.)

And finally, I think it's a great tribute to the Peace Corps that we've got a lot of members from the ambassadorial corps who are here. I want to thank you all for coming and taking your time. You understand the importance of the Peace Corps, and your presence here is a confirmation of its importance. And so we welcome you. Thank you for coming.

For more than 40 years, the Peace Corps has sent Americans to serve their country by serving the world. America has a new kind of force today. I mean, we're not only a great country, a great economic engine, and obviously a great military, we're a great idea. The greatness of the country is in the values we believe in -- freedom and hope and opportunity. We're a nation founded on just valuable principles. And the power of the idea cannot, and will not, be stopped at our borders.

The Peace Corps volunteers carry the American idea with them. They don't carry our culture; they carry universal values and principles that are so incredibly important for all of mankind. Peace Corps volunteers contribute in unaccountable ways to the countries to which they're assigned. They not only teach reading, English language skills, they introduce new business and farming methods, help spark economic development, promote training and modern technology, help fight the spread of HIV/AIDS and infectious diseases. They make an incredibly important contribution to our fellow mankind.

You know, because we come from a society where women can be leaders, where people speak and worship freely, where the difference is a source of our strength, not a cause of war, a Peace Corps volunteer in the very life they live helps spread important values. Just the fact that somebody comes from a country that is so open, that in itself is an incredibly positive influence on the world.

You know, the war has thrust upon us an enemy who hates every good -- everything the Peace Corps stands for. We long for peace in America. We've got to remember, we're fighting an enemy that really can't stand the values spread by the Peace Corps. Which means that the Peace Corps must be reinvigorated. The Peace Corps, itself, stands for what we fight for. And if we weren't to understand the role, if we were to shrink in our obligations, if we were not to allow the Peace Corps to expand, we would be doing exactly what the terrorists want us to do. And we're not going to let them cause us to abandon what we hold dear.

I have called for twice as many Peace Corps volunteers over the next five years, to return the Peace Corps to the strength it had in the mid-'60s. Those new volunteers will be heading out to new destinations. They'll be returning to the republics of Central Asia. And within three weeks, a team will leave for Afghanistan, to address how the Peace Corps can assist that country in reconstruction.

The Peace Corps is committed to returning to Peru, and to sending volunteers to East Timor, which will soon become the first country to gain independence in the 21st century. The Peace Corps will also explore ways to assist the governments of Azerbaijan, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Botswana, and Chad, and Swaziland. And during my upcoming trip to Asia, I will explore with Chinese officials the possibility of an expansion of the Peace Corps program into China.

And when these volunteers return home, they can also help educate Americans about the countries in which they serve. My administration has created what's called the USA Freedom Corps, to encourage citizens to give at least two years of their life to service to their country. And the Peace Corps is a vital part of this effort.

For Americans looking for service opportunities, at home or abroad, they can find those opportunities in the USA Freedom Corps. If you're interested in the Peace Corps, get on the web -- on your computer, and dial up the USA Freedom Corps web page, which is usafreedomcorps.gov. Or just pick up your telephone, and dial 877-USA-CORPS. If you want to know about the opportunities the Peace Corps offers, call that number, or get on the web page. And we will help you serve our fellow mankind.

You know, when President Kennedy -- Sargent Shriver's brother-in-law -- signed an executive order more than 40 years ago providing for the establishing of the Peace Corps, he spoke about a nation of men and women anxious to sacrifice their energies and time and toil to the cause of world peace and human progress. That mission hasn't changed. As a matter of fact, today the mission is needed more than ever.

I look forward to working with the members of Congress to strengthen the Peace Corps, to reassert its independence, and to create new opportunities in other nations, as well as the ones I mentioned -- new opportunities in Muslim nations for us to spread the good story about the values, the universal values, we hold so dear.

I believe Americans are still willing to sacrifice for causes greater than themselves. And the Peace Corps offers such a fantastic opportunity to do so. Gaddi Vasquez understands this, as well. And so it's with pleasure I introduce the newly sworn-in Director of the Peace Corps to the American people.

May God bless you all. (Applause.)

(end transcript)