[Congressional Bills 117th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 627 Agreed to Senate (ATS)]
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117th CONGRESS
2d Session
S. RES. 627
Designating May 6, 2022, as ``United States Foreign Service Day'' in
recognition of the men and women who have served, or are presently
serving, in the Foreign Service of the United States, and honoring the
members of the Foreign Service who have given their lives in the line
of duty.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
May 10, 2022
Mr. Sullivan (for himself, Mr. Van Hollen, Mr. Durbin, Mrs. Shaheen,
Mr. Kaine, and Mr. Merkley) submitted the following resolution; which
was considered and agreed to
_______________________________________________________________________
RESOLUTION
Designating May 6, 2022, as ``United States Foreign Service Day'' in
recognition of the men and women who have served, or are presently
serving, in the Foreign Service of the United States, and honoring the
members of the Foreign Service who have given their lives in the line
of duty.
Whereas the Foreign Service of the United States (referred to in this preamble
as the ``Foreign Service'') was established through the enactment of the
Act entitled ``An Act for the reorganization and improvement of the
Foreign Service of the United States, and for other purposes.'',
approved May 24, 1924 (43 Stat. 140, chapter 182) (commonly known as the
``Rogers Act of 1924''), and is now celebrating its 97th anniversary;
Whereas the Rogers Act of 1924 established a career organization based on
competitive examination and merit promotion;
Whereas, in 2022, just less than 16,000 men and women of the Foreign Service are
serving at home and abroad;
Whereas Foreign Service personnel are supported by more than 60,000 locally
engaged staff in nearly 300 embassies and consulates, who provide unique
expertise and crucial links to host countries;
Whereas Foreign Service personnel comprise employees from the Department of
State, the United States Agency for International Development, the
Department of Commerce, the Foreign Agricultural Service, the Animal and
Plant Health Inspection Service, and the United States Agency for Global
Media;
Whereas the diplomatic, consular, communications, trade, development, security,
public diplomacy, and numerous other functions that Foreign Service
personnel perform constitute the first and most cost-effective
instrument of the United States to protect and promote United States
interests abroad;
Whereas the men and women of the Foreign Service and their families are
increasingly exposed to risks and danger, even in times of peace, and
many have died in the service of the United States;
Whereas employees of the Foreign Service work daily--
(1) to ensure the national security of the United States;
(2) to provide assistance to United States citizens overseas;
(3) to preserve peace, freedom, and economic prosperity around the
world;
(4) to promote the ideals and values of the United States,
internationally recognized human rights, freedom, equal opportunities for
women and girls, rule of law, and democracy;
(5) to promote transparency, provide accurate information, and combat
disinformation;
(6) to cultivate new markets for United States products and services
and develop new investment opportunities that create jobs in the United
States and promote prosperity;
(7) to promote economic development, reduce poverty, end hunger and
malnutrition, fight disease, combat international crime and illegal drugs,
and address environmental degradation; and
(8) to provide emergency and humanitarian assistance to respond to
crises around the world;
Whereas, in response to the unprecedented global COVID-19 pandemic, all of the
foreign affairs agencies of the United States have worked tirelessly to
support the people of the United States, often placing their own safety
and well-being at risk;
Whereas the foreign affairs agencies and the American Foreign Service
Association have observed Foreign Service Day in May for many years; and
Whereas it is both appropriate and just for the United States as a whole to
recognize the dedication of the men and women of the Foreign Service and
to honor the members of the Foreign Service who have given their lives
in the loyal pursuit of their duties and responsibilities representing
the interests of the United States and of its citizens: Now, therefore,
be it
Resolved, That the Senate--
(1) honors the men and women who have served, or are
presently serving, in the Foreign Service of the United States
for their dedicated and important service to the United States;
(2) calls on the people of the United States to reflect on
the service and sacrifice of past, present, and future
employees of the Foreign Service of the United States, wherever
they serve, with appropriate ceremonies and activities; and
(3) designates May 6, 2022, as ``United States Foreign
Service Day'' to commemorate the 98th anniversary of the
Foreign Service of the United States.
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