[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 211 (Tuesday, December 7, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1327]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      HONORING AMBASSADOR YURI KIM

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ELISSA SLOTKIN

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, December 7, 2021

  Ms. SLOTKIN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor a dedicated career 
diplomat who has devoted her life to public service, Ambassador Yuri 
Kim.
  I first met Ambassador Kim years ago when we worked together on Iraq 
policy. Like so many others around the world who have worked alongside 
her, my initial thought was one of gratitude for her contributions to 
our team. Ambassador Kim is a thoughtful, compassionate, and committed 
diplomat who can masterfully leverage her deep knowledge and her 
magnetic charisma to the task at hand. It's no surprise that Ambassador 
Kim was confirmed to her position by voice vote in the U.S. Senate--
she's one of the best that our country has to offer and I'm proud to 
call her a friend.
  In August, when dire circumstances required us to scramble and reach 
out to potential countries that could host our group of Afghan 
evacuees, Ambassador Kim jumped into the breach. Our team called the 
embassy in Tirana and she personally returned our call--setting in 
motion a chain of events that led to more than 100 lives being saved. 
That we were able to cross paths in the way that we did is a testament 
to the power of relationships and how they can change the course of 
history.
  All leadership starts at the top, and our embassy staff in Tirana is 
a powerful example of putting country over self in order to complete a 
mission. They are truly learning from the best, in the same way that 
Ambassador Kim learned from the best as a special assistant to the late 
Colin Powell. There are no words to express the relief and the joy that 
I felt after that initial call with Ambassador Kim. I--and my entire 
team--are forever in her debt.
  Madam Speaker, I rise to honor Ambassador Yuri Kim for her 
willingness to go above and beyond the call of duty in our effort to 
evacuate Afghan allies from Kabul and support them in their new life. 
For her efforts to marshal the resources and personnel of our Embassy 
in Tirana and for her quick and efficient actions that undoubtedly 
saved lives in their hour of greatest need, I submit these words--may 
they stand as a tribute to her dedicated service when the moment called 
for it most.

                          ____________________