[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 126 (Monday, September 23, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1361]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          AMBASSADOR KIM SOOK AND AMBASSADOR BYRGANYM AITIMOVA

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ELIOT L. ENGEL

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, September 23, 2013

  Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to two diplomats, 
Security Council Ambassador Kim Sook and Ambassador Byrganym Aitimova, 
the Permanent Representatives of Korea and Kazakhstan both of whom are 
ending their terms representing their respective countries at the 
United Nations.
   On September 16, 2013 I attended a special farewell reception and 
dinner in their honor hosted by my dear friends Ranju Batra, Chair of 
the Diwali Stamp Project and former president of the Association of 
Indians in America NY, and Ravi Batra, an accomplished attorney, 
Chairman & CEO of Greenstar Global Energy Corporation and Chair of the 
National Advisory Council on South Asian Affairs. It was attended by 
numerous UN Ambassadors, and members of the judiciary and local elected 
officials.
   Ambassador Kim has a long and honorable record of serving his 
country overseas. Among his many postings, we have been fortunate to 
have Ambassador Kim represent South Korea in the United States. 
Throughout his career he has worked to keep the US-South Korean 
alliance strong, enhance our alliance's public diplomacy, and maintain 
peace and security on the Korean Peninsula. Since May 2011 he has 
served as South Korea's ambassador to the United Nations and I am sad 
to see his term come to an end. I wish him and his family all the best. 
I would also like to wish Ambassador Kim a happy birthday, which he 
celebrated on September 19th.
   Ambassador Aitimova also has a long and distinguished career of 
serving her country. She has taken important leadership roles at the 
United Nations including serving as Vice-President of the Executive 
Board of UNICEF and as a board member of UN WOMEN. She has served as 
Kazakhstan's ambassador to Italy and Israel. Her public service at home 
has included serving as Deputy Prime Minister, the Minister for 
Education and Science; and of Youth Affairs, Tourism and Sport. She 
also served as the Chairperson of the Parliamentary Committee of Youth 
Affairs and Senator of the Parliament of the Republic of Kazakhstan. 
She is ending her tour as the Permanent Representative of Kazakhstan to 
return home and once again serve her country as a Senator. I 
congratulate her on her distinguished career and wish her all the best.

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