[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 120 (Wednesday, September 29, 2004)]
[Senate]
[Page S9932]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




IN RECOGNITION OF HIS EXCELLENCY H.E. BADER OMAR AL-DAFA, AMBASSADOR OF 
                       QATAR TO THE UNITED STATES

 Mr. LEVIN. Mr. President, I take this opportunity to recognize 
Ambassador H.E. Bader Omar Al-Dafa, a distinguished career diplomat and 
the current Ambassador of Qatar to the United States. Ambassador Al-
Dafa, who earned his bachelor's degree in political science from 
Western Michigan University in 1975, will receive the College of Arts 
and Sciences Alumni Achievement Award from Western Michigan University 
in a special ceremony on October 15, 2004.
  Ambassador Al-Dafa is admired in Michigan for his dedication to 
service and his work in promoting US-Arab relations. His efforts to 
foster better understanding among America, Qatar and the Arab world 
through support of important initiatives in the American Arab community 
are appreciated by many. His respect for diplomacy has been 
demonstrated throughout his exemplary career which spans more than 25 
years.
  Upon graduation from Western Michigan University, Ambassador Al-Dafa 
began his career as a diplomatic attache at the Ministry of Foreign 
Affairs, Doha. While serving in his second assignment as First 
Secretary at the Embassy of the State of Qatar in Washington, DC, he 
earned a master's degree in international public policy from the School 
of Advanced International Studies at Johns Hopkins University in 1979. 
With his solid understanding of America and its people, Ambassador Al-
Dafa has been energetic and consistent in his commitment to improving 
bilateral relations.
  Ambassador Al-Dafa has served in his post as Ambassador of Qatar to 
the United States since September 5, 2000. Prior to this assignment, he 
served as Non-Resident Ambassador to Mexico; Director of European and 
American Affairs Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Qatar; 
Ambassador to The Russian Federation; Non Resident Ambassador to 
Finland, Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia; Ambassador to France and Non 
Resident Ambassador to Greece; Non-Resident Ambassador to Switzerland; 
Ambassador to Egypt and Permanent Representative to the Arab League in 
Cairo, Egypt; and Ambassador to Spain. Through the Washington Embassy, 
Ambassador Al-Dafa has worked on a wide array of programs, including 
the establishment of branches of Virginia Commonwealth University, 
Texas A&M, and Weill Cornell Medical College in Education City in Doha. 
In addition to Arabic and English, he speaks Spanish and French 
fluently. Ambassador Al-Dafa is married to Awatef Mohamed Al-Dafa and 
has three children.
  I know my colleagues join me in congratulating Ambassador Al-Dafa on 
his success and achievements in international affairs and on this 
prestigious honor that will be conferred by Western Michigan 
University. I am pleased to offer my best wishes on his continued 
service and contribution to the close ties and good relations between 
the State of Qatar and the United States.

                          ____________________