HI HCR153

Urges the Peace Corps to reopen its office in East Timor as soon as practicable, which was closed in 2006 due to civil unrest but the country has since stabilized.

Notes that Peace Corps East Timor was the first new Peace Corps program of the 21st century, established in 2002 with a diplomatic note signed by Nobel Peace Laureate Jose Ramos-Horta.

Highlights that East Timor remains one of the poorest countries in Asia with 40 percent of its population surviving on less than $1 per day and nearly half the population under age 15.

States the Peace Corps conducted an assessment mission in April 2010 and subsequently recommended reopening a Peace Corps office in East Timor, but this recommendation has not yet been acted upon.

Directs certified copies of the resolution be transmitted to the President of the United States, the President and Prime Minister of East Timor, relevant U.S. ambassadors, USAID officials, and the Peace Corps Acting Director.