[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 21 (Wednesday, February 1, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E84]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        HONORING THE THURSDAY LUNCHEON GROUP'S 50TH ANNIVERSARY

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. GREGORY W. MEEKS

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 1, 2023

  Mr. MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the Thursday Luncheon 
Group, an organization established in 1973 with the goal of increasing 
African American participation in the formulation, articulation, and 
implementation of United States foreign policy.
  Since joining Congress more than 20 years ago, and as the first 
African American to lead the House Foreign Affairs Committee, promoting 
diplomacy, democracy, development, and diversity in U.S. foreign policy 
has been one of my main priorities. I have seen firsthand the important 
benefits of the work of the Thursday Lunch Group to ensure that those 
making and implementing foreign policy are reflective of the diversity 
of the United States.
  The Thursday Luncheon Group celebrates its 50th anniversary this year 
and as the U.S. Department of State's oldest Employee Affinity Group, 
the organization has served as a beacon of light by upholding and 
advocating for more diverse recruitment, retention and leadership at 
the State Department, and the U.S. Agency for International 
Development.
  Two senior officers working at what was then known as the U.S. 
Information Agency: Mr. William B. Davis and Mr. Roburt Duman 
established The Thursday Lunch Group In 1973. Mr. Davis and Duman 
gathered friends and colleagues at the Department of State and USAID to 
explore possibilities for greater inclusion and promotion of African 
Americans in the international affairs. These two founders and those 
who organized around this important mission began to meet every first 
Thursday of every month to share professional development opportunities 
for Foreign Service and Civil Service personnel, while also created 
opportunities to interact with leaders in the foreign affairs 
community.
  Half a century later, the Thursday Luncheon Group has over 600 
members, including retired and current Department of State and USAID 
employees, and dedicated members from 5 other federal agencies. Their 
members have taken prominent roles in the development and execution of 
U.S. foreign policy, including Chiefs of Mission, Career Ambassadors, 
and Assistant Secretaries. TLG members monitor recruitment, 
assignments, employment practices, training, and other matters of vital 
interest to historically excluded groups at the State Department and 
USAID. The organization remains committed to mentoring entry-level and 
mid-level officers to prepare them to become the future leaders in 
international affairs. Moreover, TLG members are dedicated to giving 
back to their communities. The organization raises funds to support 
paid summer internships at the Department of State and established the 
Terence A. Todman Book scholarship (named after the first African 
American to be named Career Ambassador, the highest rank among the 
diplomatic corps) for students at Historically Black Colleges and 
Universities. I applaud the Thursday Luncheon Group's efforts to 
promote excellence and inclusion in international affairs and 
congratulate the members of the Thursday Luncheon Group for 50 years of 
service in ensuring our country is represented with excellence around 
the world.

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