[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 36 (Wednesday, February 27, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E216]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




HONORING THE SERVICE OF EUROPEAN UNION AMBASSADOR TO THE UNITED STATES 
                  DAVID O'SULLIVAN UPON HIS RETIREMENT

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. JIM COSTA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 27, 2019

  Mr. COSTA. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the distinguished 
service of European Union Ambassador to the United States, David 
O'Sullivan, who will retire his post at the end of the month after 
nearly five years of tireless advocacy for transatlantic unity. It has 
been my privilege to work alongside Ambassador O'Sullivan as we strive 
to secure our mutual interests in national security, trade, and foreign 
affairs.
  Ambassador O'Sullivan was appointed in November 2014, shottly after 
receiving the EU Transatlantic Business Award from the American Chamber 
of Commerce for his contributions to improving our economic ties with 
Europe. As Ambassador, he has devoted himself to strengthening the EU-
U.S. trade relationship and worked to ensure that other large economic 
powers play by the rules. In 2018, he promoted a trilateral approach 
between the EU, the U.S., and Japan to tackle the issue of Chinese 
overcapacity in steel manufacturing.
  In his four decades of public service for the European Union, 
Ambassador O'Sullivan has worked diligently for international 
cooperation. Prior to serving as Ambassador, he helped establish one of 
the world's largest diplomatic organizations, the European External 
Action Service, and served as its Chief Operating Officer from 2011 to 
2014. He held senior positions with the European Commission, including 
Head of Commission President Prodi's Cabinet from 1999 to 2000 and 
Secretary General of the European Commission from 2000 to 2005. In his 
capacity as Director General for Trade and Chief Negotiator for the 
Doha Development Round from 2005 to 2010, he secured numerous free 
trade agreements, including the conclusion ofthe EU's agreement with 
South Korea.
  Born in Dublin, Ireland, the Ambassador's interest in global politics 
and international affairs was first inspired by his father, Lieutenant 
General Gerry O'Sullivan, who served as Chief of Staff of the Irish 
Defense Forces. While his father served as liaison to the United 
Nations in the Congo in 1961, David attended elementary school in my 
state of California and later worked two summers as a YMCA camp 
counselor in Chicago.
  The bonds of friendship with our transatlantic allies are now more 
important than ever and must continue to be founded upon our shared 
values of democracy, respect for human dignity, and the rule of law. 
Madam Speaker, I respectfully ask my colleagues to join me in 
recognizing Ambassador O'Sullivan's enduring contributions to 
transatlantic unity and EU-U.S. trade relations. I thank him for his 
service and wish him a happy retirement.

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