[Congressional Bills 110th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 6742 Introduced in House (IH)]







110th CONGRESS
  2d Session
                                H. R. 6742

     To amend the Foreign Service Act of 1980 to prescribe certain 
        qualifications to be eligible to serve as an ambassador.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             July 31, 2008

 Ms. Eddie Bernice Johnson of Texas (for herself, Ms. Watson, and Ms. 
Lee) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee 
                           on Foreign Affairs

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
     To amend the Foreign Service Act of 1980 to prescribe certain 
        qualifications to be eligible to serve as an ambassador.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Ambassadors Qualification Act of 
2008''.

SEC. 2. QUALIFICATIONS TO BE ELIGIBLE TO SERVE AS AN AMBASSADOR.

    Section 301(a) of the Foreign Service Act of 1980 (22 U.S.C. 
3942(a)) is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (1), by striking ``The President may'' and 
        inserting ``(A) Subject to the requirements specified in 
        subparagraph (B), the President may''; and
            (2) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:
    ``(B) To be eligible to be appointed as an ambassador or as an 
ambassador at large under subparagraph (A), an individual shall satisfy 
the following requirements:
            ``(i) Unquestioned integrity, personal discretion, and 
        self-discipline.
            ``(ii) Demonstrated interest, understanding, and experience 
        in foreign affairs and foreign cultures of the assigned region.
            ``(iii) Thorough knowledge of United States history and 
        thorough knowledge of and commitment to United States values 
        and economic, commercial, and political purposes.
            ``(iv) Appreciation of the dynamics of United States 
        politics, including the role and limitations of Congress and 
        the executive branch.
            ``(v) Intellect, perception, and interpersonal skills 
        required to communicate effectively with the host country, 
        including the ability to explain persuasively to foreign 
        governments and publics the United States' position on a 
        particular issue, and with the American people, and to 
        recommend appropriate policies to the President and Secretary 
        of State.
            ``(vi) Demonstrated efficiency as a leader, manager, and 
        executive, and demonstrated sound judgment and strength of 
        character to lead United States diplomatic and consular 
        missions abroad and to command attention and respect in the 
        United States.''.
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