[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 90 (Wednesday, July 13, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: July 13, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
      A TRIBUTE TO A DEDICATED SECURITY OFFICER, DAVID L. ROBERTS

                                 ______


                        HON. BENJAMIN A. GILMAN

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 13, 1994

  Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise to salute a seasoned security 
professional, David L. Roberts, who is retiring from the Department of 
State this summer after more than 30 years of distinguished service 
with a number of agencies in the U.S. Government.
  Mr. Roberts was born in West Virginia in 1939, graduated from Concord 
College, and later did graduate studies at the American University here 
in Washington.
  Following 3 years of service in the Marine Corps, he joined the Naval 
Investigative Service in 1971 as a criminal investigator and served in 
Vietnam as a civilian investigator from 1966 to 1967. In 1971, he was 
recruited by the Bureau of Diplomatic Security in the Department of 
State where his investigative and overseas security experience were 
invaluable skills in countering the escalating terrorist attacks on 
Americans and our embassies overseas.
  During his distinguished career with the Bureau of Diplomatic 
Security, he served as the Regional Security Officer in Zaire, as both 
the Security Officer and the Administrative Officer for SALT in Geneva, 
and was assigned to the American Embassy in Moscow, one of the most 
challenging security assignments in the world.
  From 1981 to 1984, he became the Associate Director of Security for 
Africa and the Middle East. Mr. Roberts' superior performance was 
appropriately recognized when the Department named him Associate 
Director of Security for Europe.
  Beginning in 1987, David Roberts served as the Director of the Anti-
Terrorism Assistance Program [ATA], an important office created by the 
legislative efforts of the House Foreign Affairs Committee. The ATA 
program helps the United States enhance our worldwide fight against the 
scourge of terrorism.
  Subsequently, Mr. Roberts was called upon to take over the 
directorship of Diplomatic Security's Protection and Investigations 
program. He served there until 1991, when he became Division Director 
of the Construction Security Management program in the Foreign 
Buildings Office.
  In recognition of his many significant accomplishments, Mr. Roberts 
was one of a select group of seasoned security officers promoted to the 
Senior Foreign Service where he now holds the rank of Officer 
Counselor.
  Few Americans recognize the demands made on State Department security 
professionals, as well as their families with regard to the occasional 
dangers inherent in international travel and their assignments in 
distant lands. While visiting Beirut in 1984, Mr. Roberts was wounded 
in the terrorist bombing of the American Embassy. Despite his injuries, 
he stayed in the building in order to help rescue many employees.
  I invite my colleagues to join me in commending David Roberts for his 
many years of dedicated service to his Nation. We wish him, his wife 
Cathie, and sons good health and happiness in all of their future 
endeavors.

                          ____________________