[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 83 (Monday, May 4, 2020)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2216-S2217]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




SENATE RESOLUTION 556--DESIGNATING MAY 1, 2020, AS THE ``UNITED STATES 
  FOREIGN SERVICE DAY'' IN RECOGNITION OF THE MEN AND WOMEN WHO HAVE 
SERVED, OR ARE PRESENTLY SERVING, IN THE FOREIGN SERVICE OF THE UNITED 
STATES, AND HONORING THE MEMBERS OF THE FOREIGN SERVICE WHO HAVE GIVEN 
                    THEIR LIVES IN THE LINE OF DUTY

  Mr. SULLIVAN (for himself, Mr. Van Hollen, Mr. Cardin, Ms. Collins, 
Mr. Coons, Ms. Duckworth, Mr. Durbin, Mr. Kaine, Ms. Klobuchar, Mrs. 
Loeffler, Mr. Markey, Mr. Merkley, and Mrs. Shaheen) submitted the 
following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the 
Judiciary:

                              S. Res. 556

       Whereas the Foreign Service of the United States (referred 
     to in this preamble as the

[[Page S2217]]

     ``Foreign Service'') was established through the enactment of 
     the Act entitled ``An Act For the reorganization and 
     improvement of the Foreign Service of the United States, and 
     for other purposes.'', approved May 24, 1924 (43 Stat. 140, 
     chapter 182) (commonly known as the ``Rogers Act of 1924''), 
     and is now celebrating its 96th anniversary;
       Whereas the Rogers Act of 1924 established a career 
     organization based on competitive examination and merit 
     promotion;
       Whereas, in 2020, more than 16,000 men and women of the 
     Foreign Service are serving at home and abroad;
       Whereas Foreign Service personnel are supported by more 
     than 75,000 locally engaged staff in nearly 300 embassies and 
     consulates, who provide unique expertise and crucial links to 
     host countries;
       Whereas Foreign Service personnel comprise employees from 
     the Department of State, the United States Agency for 
     International Development, the Department of Commerce, the 
     Department of Agriculture, the Animal and Plant Health 
     Inspection Service, and the United States Agency for Global 
     Media;
       Whereas the diplomatic, consular, communications, trade, 
     development, security, public diplomacy, and numerous other 
     functions that Foreign Service personnel perform constitute 
     the first and most cost-effective instrument of the United 
     States to protect and promote United States interests abroad;
       Whereas the men and women of the Foreign Service and their 
     families are increasingly exposed to risks and danger, even 
     in times of peace, and many have died in the service of the 
     United States;
       Whereas employees of the Foreign Service work daily--
       (1) to ensure the national security of the United States;
       (2) to provide assistance to United States citizens 
     overseas;
       (3) to preserve peace, freedom, and economic prosperity 
     around the world;
       (4) to promote the ideals and values of the United States, 
     internationally recognized human rights, freedom, equal 
     opportunities for women and girls, rule of law, and 
     democracy;
       (5) to promote transparency, provide accurate information, 
     and combat disinformation;
       (6) to cultivate new markets for United States products and 
     services and develop new investment opportunities that create 
     jobs in the United States and promote prosperity;
       (7) to promote economic development, reduce poverty, end 
     hunger and malnutrition, fight disease, combat international 
     crime and illegal drugs, and address environmental 
     degradation; and
       (8) to provide emergency and humanitarian assistance to 
     respond to crises around the world;

       Whereas, in response to the unprecedented global COVID-19 
     pandemic, all of the foreign affairs agencies of the United 
     States have worked tirelessly to support the people of the 
     United States, often placing their own safety and well-being 
     at risk;
       Whereas Foreign Service personnel and locally engaged staff 
     have assisted individuals in crisis by providing emergency 
     consular services, repatriating United States citizens 
     abroad, surging the agriculture quarantine and inspection 
     program, providing technical assistance and emergency and 
     humanitarian relief to other countries and populations, and 
     pursuing other efforts that have saved lives;
       Whereas the foreign affairs agencies and the American 
     Foreign Service Association have observed Foreign Service Day 
     in May for many years; and
       Whereas it is both appropriate and just for the United 
     States as a whole to recognize the dedication of the men and 
     women of the Foreign Service and to honor the members of the 
     Foreign Service who have given their lives in the loyal 
     pursuit of their duties and responsibilities representing the 
     interests of the United States and of its citizens: Now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) honors the men and women who have served, or are 
     presently serving, in the Foreign Service of the United 
     States for their dedicated and important service to the 
     United States;
       (2) calls on the people of the United States to reflect on 
     the service and sacrifice of past, present, and future 
     employees of the Foreign Service of the United States, 
     wherever they serve, with appropriate ceremonies and 
     activities; and
       (3) designates May 1, 2020, as ``United States Foreign 
     Service Day'' to commemorate the 96th anniversary of the 
     Foreign Service of the United States.

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