[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 113 (Wednesday, July 13, 2016)]
[Senate]
[Page S5071]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 TRIBUTE TO AMBASSADOR PETER WESTMACOTT

  Mr. LEAHY. Mr. President, I wanted to share with my friends in the 
Senate some news from across the pond. Sir Peter Westmacott, who served 
as British Ambassador to the United States from 2012 until January of 
this year, was recently bestowed the high honor of Knight Grand Cross 
of the Order of Saint Michael and Saint George for his services to 
British diplomacy. In other words, Sir Peter is now a ``super knight.''
  Sir Peter has served British diplomatic interests at home and abroad 
for decades. His commitment and dedication to peaceful cooperation in 
the international community is unparalleled. Sir Peter first came to 
Washington, DC, as Counsellor for Political and Public Affairs in 
Washington, a position he held from 1993 to 1996, after which he 
returned home to serve as Director for the Americas at the Foreign and 
Commonwealth Office.
  From 2002 to 2006, Sir Peter Westmacott served as Her Majesty's 
Ambassador to Turkey. His experience and unwavering commitment to 
diplomacy were instrumental as he navigated difficult and tragic waters 
following the November 2003 terrorist attack on the British Embassy in 
Turkey. He also fostered diplomatic discussions surrounding Turkey's 
candidacy as a member of the European Union. Beginning in 2007, Sir 
Peter served as Her Majesty's ambassador to France, where he promoted 
diplomacy, trade, and investments between France and the U.K.
  During his time as Her Majesty's Ambassador to the United States, Sir 
Peter worked tirelessly to maintain and strengthen U.K.-U.S. relations 
and to promote diverse and inclusive cultures. His long career 
illustrates his deep belief in unity and that we, as nations, can 
accomplish more together than we could dream of achieving alone.
  Marcelle and I are lucky to count Peter Westmacott and his wife, 
Susie, among our friends and are proud of him for earning this 
prestigious honor. I wanted to share with the Senate the full citation 
from the Queen's 2016 Birthday Honours for Diplomatic Services: ``Peter 
Westmacott has successfully and relentlessly pursued British interests 
at the highest levels of international diplomacy, including over the 
last ten years through three important relationships for the UK--the 
USA, France and Turkey. He has used every aspect of modern diplomacy--
political, prosperity, soft power and leadership--to deliver high 
impact outcomes for the UK. In each of these most recent roles he has 
faced difficult challenges to deliver for the UK whether it be 
deepening the bilateral relationship at the highest levels or 
persuading partners to work with the UK on difficult issues. He has 
been one of the UK's leading and most accomplished British Ambassadors 
of his generation.''
  I thank Peter and Susie for their many achievements and dedication to 
strengthening the special relationship between the United States and 
United Kingdom.

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