[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 117 (Wednesday, September 27, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1601]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                           DEATH OF SETH FOTI

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. BENJAMIN A. GILMAN

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 26, 2000

  Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, the Diplomatic Courier Service, U.S. 
Department of State, lost one of its own on August 23, 2000. Mr. Seth 
Foti, age 31, lost his life while serving his nation in the line of 
duty in the Persian Gulf. Seth was one of 143 passengers aboard the 
Gulf Air flight that crashed in Bahrain on August 23rd. Our thoughts 
and prayers go out to the entire Foti family. Seth is survived by his 
wife Anisha, his father Dominic Foti, his mother Deyann Davis, and 
step-father Maxwell Davis.
  The U.S. Diplomatic Couriers face hardship on a daily basis. Not 
everyone is qualified for such a highly-sought-after position in public 
service. Just a few of the challenges with which couriers contend, 
include constant travel, traversing several time zones, long hours, 
solitary travel and flight delays. U.S. Diplomatic Couriers are 
integral in the work of the Foreign Service. These men and women 
deliver documents and materials that are vital to U.S. interest and 
foreign policy goals. It can be dangerous.
  The tragic loss of Mr. Foti, the sixth courier killed in the 
service's 82 year history, reminds us all of the bravery and commitment 
associated with our Diplomatic Couriers.
  Seth was one of the new breed of couriers who recently joined the 
Diplomatic Courier Service in April 1999. He was a young, bright, 
energetic man who was willing to accept the dangers associated with a 
career in the U.S. Diplomatic Courier Service. Seth's supervisor, Mike 
Meeker, stated the following, ``Seth Foti was such a dedicated 
colleague, professional in every respect. His professionalism was 
unmatched. He knew how to negotiate his way through the most difficult 
of airports. Always cheerful, charismatic and well respected by his 
fellow couriers and those who served with him at our embassy in 
Bahrain. He loved his parents and step-dad and was so excited about his 
recent marriage to Anisha.''
  As Chairman of the House International Relations Committee, I want to 
extend my sincere condolences to the Foti family and the U.S. 
Diplomatic Courier Service family. Seth was a true public servant of 
the people who gave the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty. I thank 
him. The extensive amount of travel is an inherent risk and danger 
associated with the demanding job of a U.S. Diplomatic Courier. I 
salute the bravery and commitment that these fine men and woman 
demonstrate on a daily basis for the U.S. Department of State and the 
American people.

                          ____________________