[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 57 (Tuesday, April 30, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Page S4445]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      AMERICAN FOREIGN SERVICE DAY

  Mr. GRASSLEY. Also, for our leader, I ask unanimous consent that the 
Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of Calendar No. 381, 
Senate Resolution 217.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report.
  The assistant legislative clerk read as follows:

       A resolution (S. Res. 217) to designate the first Friday in 
     May, 1996 as ``American Foreign Service Day.''

  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there objection to the immediate 
consideration of the resolution?
  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the 
resolution.
  Mr. GRASSLEY. I ask unanimous consent that the resolution be agreed 
to, the preamble be agreed to, and the motion to reconsider be laid 
upon the table, and that any statements relating to the resolution 
appear at the appropriate place in the Record.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  So the resolution (S. Res. 217) was agreed to.
  The preamble was agreed to.
  The resolution with its preamble is as follows:

                              S. Res. 217

       Whereas the American Foreign Service was established in 
     1924 and some 11,600 men and women now serve with the foreign 
     affairs agencies of the United States at home and abroad;
       Whereas the diplomatic, consular, communications, trade, 
     development, and numerous other functions these men and women 
     perform constitute the first and most cost-effective line of 
     defense of our Nation by protecting and promoting United 
     States interests abroad;
       Whereas the men and women of the American Foreign Service 
     are increasingly exposed to risks and danger to themselves 
     and their families, even in times of peace, and many have 
     died in the service of their country;
       Whereas in this uncertain post-Cold War era, an ever-
     vigilant American Foreign Service remains essential to the 
     strategic, political, and economic well-being of this Nation 
     by strengthening the United States' relations with other 
     countries and promoting a safer, more peaceful world.
       Whereas the United States Government's foreign affairs 
     agencies and the American Foreign Service Association have 
     observed Foreign Service Day on the first Friday in May for 
     many years; and
       Whereas it is both appropriate and just for the country as 
     a whole to recognize the dedication of the men and women of 
     the American Foreign Service and to honor those who have 
     given their lives in the loyal pursuit of their duties and 
     responsibilities representing the interests of the United 
     States of America and of its citizens: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) commend the men and women who have served or are 
     presently serving in the American Foreign Service for their 
     dedicated and important service to country;
       (2) honor those in the American Foreign Service who have 
     given their lives in the line of duty; and
       (3) designate the first Friday in May 1996 as ``American 
     Foreign Service Day''.

     The President is authorized and requested to issue a 
     proclamation calling upon the people of the United States and 
     the Federal, State, and local administrators to observe the 
     day with the appropriate programs, ceremonies, and 
     activities.

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