Friday, March 11, 2011

Isakson Pays Tribute to the Life of Kate Puzey
'I Will Be Saying A Special Prayer For The Life of Kate Puzey, For Her Family, and For What She And All Volunteers Who Have Sacrificed In The Peace Corps Have Done'

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., on Thursday paid tribute to the life of Kate Puzey on the Senate floor on the eve of the second anniversary of her death. Puzey was a 24-year-old Peace Corps volunteer from Forsyth County, Georgia, who was murdered on March 11, 2009, while serving in the West African country of Benin. She was killed days after reporting a Peace Corps contractor for abusing children at the school where she worked.

"We as a country are blessed to have men and women who serve us in many capacities. Kate Puzey is an example of what those Peace Corps volunteers do--at its height. When I attended her funeral, I sat and listened to her fellow volunteers, her former classmates tell about the Kate Puzey they knew: the academic genius, the committed volunteer, the person who loved life, loved people and wanted to share that love wherever she could. The volunteers in Benin also told of her countless sacrifices to help young people and children," said Isakson. "I will be saying a special prayer for the life of Kate Puzey, for her family, and for what she and all volunteers who have sacrificed in the Peace Corps have done for the United States of America."

Isakson is working with the Puzey family to introduce legislation to protect Peace Corps volunteers who become whistleblowers.

Kate's Voice, an organization started by Puzey's friends and family, was to hold a vigil in outside the U.S. Capitol this evening in remembrance of Puzey and all other Peace Corps victims of murder, rape or assault.

The vigil will take place at 6:30 p.m. EST at the U.S. Capitol on the steps of the western entrance, called "Area 1." **In case of inclement weather, it will be held at St. Mark's Episcopal Church located at 118th 3rd Street SE.** Attendees are expected to include Richard Day, Peace Corps Regional Operations Director for Africa, Jessica Smochek, First Response Action spokesperson and survivor, and Catherine Lois Puzey, Kate's mother and spokesperson for Kate's Voice.

For more information on the vigil, please contact David Puzey at 770-855-2762.