[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 131 (Monday, September 15, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1403-E1404]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   IN HONOR OF AMBASSADOR RICK BARTON

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. SAM FARR

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, September 15, 2014

  Mr. FARR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the retirement of a 
distinguished public servant who I am proud to call a friend, 
Ambassador Rick Barton, Assistant Secretary for State Department's 
Bureau of Conflict and Stabilization Operations. On September 30, 
Ambassador Barton will end this chapter of a

[[Page E1404]]

long and venerable public service career. Without question, he leaves 
behind a legacy of diplomacy and peace.
   Ambassador Barton has crisscrossed the world, going to the most 
neglected corners of the globe to promote stability and security. He 
led independent reviews of Iraq reconstruction; developed civilian 
strategies for Iraq, Sudan, and Sri Lanka; and initiated trail-blazing 
approaches to conflict resolution in Pakistan and Nigeria.
   As the first Assistant Secretary of CSO, Ambassador Barton put a 
laser-sharp focus on innovation and locally-driven solutions to break 
cycles of violent conflict. Under his direction, CSO has harnessed the 
power of mass communications and advanced analytics to drive ground-up 
initiatives in Syria, Burma, Honduras, Bangladesh, Kenya, and Nigeria. 
Not surprisingly, he was honored in 2013 with a Distinguished Honor 
Award from the State Department ``in recognition of [his] 
groundbreaking work to create the Bureau of Conflict and Stabilizations 
Operations, promote peacebuilding and empower women, youth and other 
change agents.''
   Prior to CSO, Ambassador Barton served as the U.S. Representative to 
the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations, co-director of 
the Post-Conflict Reconstruction Project at the Center for Strategic 
and International Studies, Deputy High Commissioner of the United 
Nations Refugee Agency, and founding Director of USAID's Office of 
Transition Initiatives. Ambassador Barton's diplomatic career began as 
an election trainer and observer in Latin America, a region that is 
dear to both our hearts.
   Mr. Speaker, as war and conflict raged around the globe, Ambassador 
Barton has been a stalwart advocate for peace. Ambassador Barton, as 
you head off to the Great State of Maine--where you made your mark both 
in the Democratic Party and on the squash court--I honor your 
tremendous public service. The world is better for your work.

                          ____________________