[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 556 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

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116th CONGRESS
  2d Session
S. RES. 556

 Designating May 1, 2020, 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 4, 2020

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

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
 Designating May 1, 2020, 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 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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