SENATE RESOLUTION 556--DESIGNATING MAY 1, 2020, AS THE ``UNITED STATES FOREIGN SERVICE DAY'' IN RECOGNITION OF THE MEN AND WOMEN WHO HAVE SERVED, OR ARE PRESENTLY SERVING, IN THE FOREIGN SERVICE OF...; Congressional Record Vol. 166, No. 83
(Senate - May 04, 2020)
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[Pages S2216-S2217]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
SENATE RESOLUTION 556--DESIGNATING MAY 1, 2020, AS THE ``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
Mr. SULLIVAN (for himself, Mr. Van Hollen, Mr. Cardin, Ms. Collins,
Mr. Coons, Ms. Duckworth, Mr. Durbin, Mr. Kaine, Ms. Klobuchar, Mrs.
Loeffler, Mr. Markey, Mr. Merkley, and Mrs. Shaheen) submitted the
following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the
Judiciary:
S. Res. 556
Whereas the Foreign Service of the United States (referred
to in this preamble as the
[[Page S2217]]
``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 96th anniversary;
Whereas the Rogers Act of 1924 established a career
organization based on competitive examination and merit
promotion;
Whereas, in 2020, more 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 75,000 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
Department of Agriculture, 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 Foreign Service personnel and locally engaged staff
have assisted individuals in crisis by providing emergency
consular services, repatriating United States citizens
abroad, surging the agriculture quarantine and inspection
program, providing technical assistance and emergency and
humanitarian relief to other countries and populations, and
pursuing other efforts that have saved lives;
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 1, 2020, as ``United States Foreign
Service Day'' to commemorate the 96th anniversary of the
Foreign Service of the United States.
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