[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 95 (Friday, June 28, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E994]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


 IN RECOGNITION OF 50 YEARS OF SERVICE OF AMBASSADOR GEORGE W. LANDAU 
AND ON THE OCCASION OF HIS RECEIVING THE 2013 AMERICAN FOREIGN SERVICE 
                      ASSOCIATION DIPLOMACY AWARD

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. CHRIS VAN HOLLEN

                              of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 27, 2013

  Mr. VAN HOLLEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize Ambassador George W. 
Landau for his 50 years of service to our Nation and to congratulate 
him for receiving the American Foreign Service Association 2013 
Lifetime Contributions to American Diplomacy Award. This award is 
bestowed in recognition of extraordinary contribution to diplomacy and 
to recognize the recipient's continued contribution in retirement to 
the advancement of the profession of diplomacy and U.S. foreign policy.
  Ambassador George Landau served as U.S Ambassador to Paraguay, 
Venezuela, and Chile, where he played a crucial role in solving the 
murder of Chilean politician Orlando Letelier, who died in a car 
bombing in Washington, DC in 1976. By preserving evidence which led to 
the identification of the organizers of the bombing, Ambassador Landau 
helped to expose a large, concerted effort to kill South American 
rebels and dissidents. His efforts helped to bring to justice those 
responsible for the crimes. Following his retirement, he served as the 
President of the Americas Society and Council of the Americas, and as 
President of the Council of Advisors, Latin America, of Guardian 
Industries (AS/COA).
  During his tenure as president of AS/COA, Ambassador Landau worked 
tirelessly to persuade Congress to grant ``fast track'' negotiating 
authority to the president in support of the North American Free Trade 
Agreement. His efforts helped to lay the foundation for the U.S.-Chile 
Free Trade agreement of 2004 and the current Trans-Pacific Partnership 
negotiations. As an acknowledgment of his service and key role in the 
promotion of trade, Ambassador Landau was twice appointed to the board 
of the Export-Import Bank and received decorations from the governments 
of Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Peru, and Venezuela.
  Ambassador George W. Landau personifies the ideals and values that 
are the basis of the U.S. Foreign Service. On behalf of a grateful 
nation I thank him for his long service to our country and congratulate 
him on his award.

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