[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 138 (Tuesday, September 18, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1908]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 TRIBUTE TO SIR DAVID GEOFFREY MANNING

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. PETER T. KING

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 18, 2007

  Mr. KING of New York. Madam Speaker, today I rise to recognize the 
remarkable and significant career of the distinguished British 
Ambassador to the United States, Sir David Geoffrey Manning. Ambassador 
Manning is stepping down from his post after 4 years of devoted service 
and I would like to commend him on his long service to the British 
Government and his vital contributions to the enduring relationship 
between the United States and the United Kingdom.
  Ambassador Manning began his career as a civil servant in the Foreign 
and Commonwealth office in 1972, where he was posted in the Mexico/
Central America Department. He then served in posts in Warsaw, New 
Delhi, and Paris. It was in 1990 that Sir David was appointed to the 
senior position of Counselor, Head of Chancery in Moscow. Ambassador 
Manning held this post from 1990 to 1993, during which time the fall of 
communism and the break-up of the former Soviet Union occurred.
  In 1995, Ambassador Manning was named British Ambassador to Israel 
during the difficult period after the assassination of Israeli Prime 
Minister Yitzhak Rabin. He served in that post with distinction 
throughout his 3 years of service. In 2001, Sir David was appointed to 
head the UK delegation to NATO in Brussels, a post he held for 8 months 
until he was designated by Prime Minister Tony Blair to serve as his 
chief foreign policy adviser. It was in this capacity that he worked 
closely for Prime Minister Blair in the aftermath of September 11, 
2001, and for the 2 years that followed. It was in this position that 
Ambassador Manning also developed a close working relationship with 
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, who at that time was serving as 
President Bush's national security adviser.
  In September 2003, Ambassador Manning was appointed by Prime Minister 
Blair to be the British ambassador to the United States, the 40th 
ambassador to hold this post. In this position, Sir David has played an 
invaluable role in strengthening the uniquely close U.S.-UK alliance. 
Now after four years of service, he is leaving Washington and I want to 
take this opportunity to thank him for his distinguished service to the 
United Kingdom and for the friendship he has consistently shown toward 
the United States. I have appreciated my dealings with Ambassador 
Manning on a range of issues including the war against terrorism and 
the fulfillment of the Irish Peace Process. And on a personal level, my 
wife Rosemary and I have thoroughly enjoyed our relationship with 
Ambassador Manning and his wife Catherine.
  Sir David, thank you for your impressive service and I wish you and 
Lady Catherine the best in all your future endeavors.

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