[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 116 (Thursday, August 1, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Pages S9447-S9448]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                RECOGNIZING OUR FOREIGN SERVICE OFFICERS

 Mr. AKAKA. Mr. President, I rise today to recognize two fine 
and outstanding foreign service officers stationed in our Beijing, 
China, embassy who went beyond the call of duty to help an American 
citizen in time of need. Ms. Stephanie Fossan and Mr. Kai Ryssdale 
exemplify the ``can do'' spirit that all our foreign service officers 
provide for many of our overseas citizens.
  In a letter I received from a Hawaii constituent doing business in 
China, he

[[Page S9448]]

describes an incident where he lost his passport a day before his 
departure from Beijing. Without his passport he knew he would most 
certainly have to miss his scheduled flight. Because this was peak 
travel season for many Asians and the airlines were solidly booked, it 
would also mean an indefinite stay in China. This delay would become 
very difficult for this person because of health concerns and the lack 
of his daily medication.
  Ms. Fossan and Mr. Ryssdale worked beyond normal working hours to 
ensure that this Hawaii resident could secure a temporary passport. 
With temporary passport in hand, my constituent went to the Chinese 
Security Office to get his visa stamped, and he was able to board his 
plane to Honolulu the next morning as scheduled.
  All too often the hard work and dedication of our foreign service 
officers go overlooked. Many of these people live and work in very 
difficult conditions. The Secretary of State has testified before a 
committee of the Senate about ``sewer gases'' leaking into the embassy 
building in Beijing and the difficult living conditions under which the 
Americans who work there must endure.
  Ms. Fossan and Mr. Ryssdale represent the best in foreign service 
personnel who serve and protect our citizens abroad. To all personnel 
serving in our embassies abroad and to the Honorable James Sasser, 
Ambassador to the Peoples Republic of China, and his staff, I say thank 
you for your dedicated work for our country. 

                          ____________________