III 

116TH CONGRESS 

2D SESSION S. RES. 556 

Designating May 1, 2020, as ‘‘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. 

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES 

MAY 4, 2020 

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 

MAY 21, 2020 

Committee discharged; considered and agreed to 

RESOLUTION 

Designating May 1, 2020, as ‘‘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. 

Whereas the Foreign Service of the United States (referred 

to in this preamble as the ‘‘Foreign Service’’) was established through the enactment of the Act entitled ‘‘An Act 

For the reorganization and improvement of the Foreign 


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SRES 556 ATS 

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— 


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(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 wellbeing 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 


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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 

1 Resolved, That the Senate— 

2 (1) honors the men and women who have 

3 served, or are presently serving, in the Foreign Serv4 ice of the United States for their dedicated and im5 portant service to the United States; 

6 (2) calls on the people of the United States to 

7 reflect on the service and sacrifice of past, present, 

8 and future employees of the Foreign Service of the 

9 United States, wherever they serve, with appropriate 

10 ceremonies and activities; and 

11 (3) designates May 1, 2020, as ‘‘United States 

12 Foreign Service Day’’ to commemorate the 96th an13 niversary of the Foreign Service of the United 

14 States. 

Æ 


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