An Act to amend the Foreign Service Act of 1946, as amended, and for other purposes
PL 84-828 (S.3481), enacted 07/28/1956

704 
PUBLIC LAW 828-JULY 28, 1956 
[70 S T A T , 
Public Law 828 
CHAPTER 770 
July 28, 1956 
AN ACT 
[
S
» 3481] 
TQ amend the Foreign Service Act of 1946, as amended, and for other purposes 
Be it enacted T)y the Senate and House of Representatives 
of the 
Ac^*AmMdment'sof United States of America in Congress assembled^ That this Act may 
^^6(f*stat 1002 
^® ^^^^^ ^
® ^^^ "Foreign Service Act Amendments of 1956". 
22 use 866. ' 
SEC. 2. Section 411 of the Foreign Service Act of 1946, as amended, 
iy amended by striking out the second sentence of that section and sub-
stituting in lieu thereof the following: "The per annum salaries of 
chiefs of mission within each class shall be as follows: Class 1, $27,500 
per annum; class 2, $25,000; class 3, $22,500; and class 4, $20,000." 
22 use 867. 
SEQ. 3, Sectiou 412 of such Act is amended to read as follows: 
"SEC. 412. There shall be ten classes of Foreign Service officers, in-
cluding the classes of career ambassador and of career minister. The 
per annum salary of a career ambassador shall be $20,000. The per 
annum salary of a career minister shall be $17,500. The per annum 
salaries of Foreign Service officers within each of the other classes 
shall be as follows: 
Class 
1 
$14,600 $15,000 $15,400 $15,800 $16,200 $16,600 $17,000 
Class 
2 
12,600 
12,900 
13,200 
13,500 
13,800 
14,100 
14,400 
Class 
3 
10,600 
10,900 
11,200 
11,5(X) 11,800 
12,100 
12,400 
Class 
4 
9,000 
9,250 
9,500 
9,750 
10,000 
10,250 
10,500 
Class 5 
7,400 
7,650 
7,900 
8,150 
8,400 
8,650 
8,900 
Class 
6 
6,100 
6,300 
6,500 
6,700 
6,900 
7,100 
7,300 
Class 
7 
5.100 
5,250 
5,400 
5,550 
5,700 
5,850 
6,000 
Class 
8 
4,300 
4,450 
4,600 
4,750 
4,900 
5,050 
5,200 
5, 
350." 
22 use 869. 
gj,(3 4 gectiou 414 (a) of such Act is amended by striking out the 
word "six" and inserting the word "eight" in lieu thereof; and by 
striking out the number "6" and inserting in lieu thereof the number 
"8". 
22 use 911. 
SEC. 5. Section 516 of such Act and the heading thereto is amended 
by striking the words "class 6" wherever they appear therein and 
inserting the words "class 8" in lieu thereof. 
22 use 912. 
SEC. 6. Section 517 of such Act and the heading thereto is amended 
by striking the heading thereto and substituting in lieu thereof "Ad-
mission to classes 1 to 7, inclusive"; by striking in the aforementioned 
section the number "6" wherever it appears therein and inserting in 
lieu thereof the number "8"; by striking out in the aforementioned sec-
tion the number "5" wlierever it appears therein and inserting in lieu 
thereof the number "7"; and by striking out the word "forty" and 
inserting in lieu thereof the words "one hundred and seventy-five"; by 
inserting before the period at the end of the second sentence the follow-
ing: "as a Foreign Service officer"; and by adding after the second 
sentence a new sentence which shall read as follows: "Notwithstand-
ing the above provisions of this section, the limitation on the maxi-
mum number of appointments authorized herein shall not be appli-
cable in the case of any person appointed or assigned by the Secretary 
of Stnte as a Foreign Service Reserve officer and who thereafter has 
served in a position of responsibility in such capacity for the required 
period prior to appointment as a Foreign Service officer." 
22 use 1004. 
SEC. 7. Section 634 (b) of such Act is amended by striking the 
words "classes 4 or 5", and inserting in lieu thereof the words "classes 
4, 5,6 or 7"; by striking the words "class 4" and inserting in lieu thereof 
the words "classes 4 or 5"; and by striking the words "class 5" and 
inserting in lieu thereof the words "classes 6 and 7". 
22 use 100 5, 
SEC. 8. Section 635 of such Act and the heading thereto and section 
^'* 
637 (a) of such Act are amended by striking the number "6" wher-
ever it appears therein and by inserting in lieu thereof the number "8". 
70 STAT.] 
PUBLIC L,AW 828-JULY 28, 1966 
705 
SEC. 9. (a) Section 821 (a) of such Act is amended by striking the 
22 use io76. 
word "thirty" and inserting m lieu thereof the word "thirty-five", and 
by inserting after the first sentence the following new sentence: "How-
ever, the highest five years of service for which full contributions have 
been made to the Fund shall be used in computing the annuity of any 
Foreign Service officer who serves as chief of mission and whose con-
tinuity of service as such is interrupted prior to retirement by appoint-
ment or assignment to any other position determined by the Secretary 
to be of comparable importance." 
(b) Section 821 (b) of such Act is amended by striking the phrase 
"for the five years next preceding his retirement" and inserting in lieu 
thereof "as computed in accordance with subsection (a) of this sec-
tion,". 
SEC. 10. Section 871 of such Act is amended by striking the word 
22 use iiii. 
"thirty" and inserting in lieu therof the word "thirty-five". 
SEC. 11. Section 902 of such Act is amended to read as follows: 
22 use 1132. 
"SEC. 902. The Secretary may, under such regulations as he may 
prescribe, make an allotment of funds to any post to defray the 
unusual expenses incident to the operation and maintenance of official 
residences suitable for principal representatives of the United States 
at that post." 
SEC. 12. (a) Section 921 of such Act is amended (1) by inserting 
22 use 1139. 
" ( a ) " immediately after "SEC. 921.", (2) by striking out "and pur-
suant to appropriations therefor,", and (3) by amending the proviso 
in the second sentence to read as follows: ''''Provided^ That an amount 
equal to the amount expended for such services shall be covered into 
the Treasury as miscellaneous receipts." 
(b) Section 921 of such Act is further amended by adding at the 
end thereof the following new subsections: 
"(b) The Secretary, under such regulations as he may prescribe, 
may authorize and assist in the establishment, maintenance, and op-
eration, by officers and employees of the Service, of non-Government-
operated commissary and mess services and recreation facilities at 
posts abroad, including the furnishing of space, utilities, and proper-
ties owned or leased by the United States for use by its diplomatic 
and consular missions. 
The provisions of the Foreign Service Build-
ings Act, 1926, as amended (22 U. S. C. 292-300), may be utilized 
44stat. 403. 
by the Secretary in providing such assistance. Commissary or mess 
services and recreation facilities established pursuant to this subsec-
tion shall be made available, insofar as practicable, to officers and 
employees of other Government agencies and their dependents who are 
stationed abroad. 
Such services or facilities shall not be established 
in localities where another United States agency operates similar 
services or facilities unless the Secretary determines that such addi-
tional services or facilities are necessary. 
"(c) Notwithstanding the last paragraph under the heading 'Sub-
sistence Department' in the Act of March 3, 1911 (10 U. S. C. 1253), 
36 stat. 1047. 
or the provisions of any other law, charges at any post abroad by a 
commissary or mess service or recreation facility authorized or as-
sisted under this section shall be at the same rate for all civilian per-
sonnel of the Government serviced thereby, and all charges for 
supplies furnished to such a service or facility abroad by any Govern-
ment agency shall be at the same rate as that charged by the furnishing 
agency to its civilian commissary or mes-s services or recreation 
facilities. 
"(d) Notwithstanding the provisions of section 5 of the Act of July 
16, 1914, as amended (5 U. S. C. 78), the Secretary may authorize 
eo stat. 810. 
any principal officer to approve the use of Government-owned vehicles 
located at his post for transportation of United States Government 
69Z25 0 - 5 7 - 4 9 ( V o l . 70) 
706 
PUBLIC LAW 828-JULY 28, 1956 
[70 STAT. 
employees who are American citizens, and their dependents, to and 
from recreation facilities when public transportation is unsafe or 
is not available." 
22 use 1156. 
SEC. 13. Section 941 of such Act is amended to read as follows: 
^
^ Medical protec 
ug^,^ 94j ^^^^ jj^ ^^iQ, eveut au officcr or employee of the Service 
who is a citizen of the United States incurs an illness or injury while 
such person is located abroad, which requires hospitalization or sim-
ilar treatment, and which is not the result of vicious habits, intemper-
ance, or misconduct on his part, the Secretary may, in accordance 
with such regulations as he may prescribe, pay for the cost of treat-
ment of such illness or injury. 
"(b) In the event a dependent of a United States citizen officer or 
employee of the Service wKo is stationed abroad, incurs an illness or 
injurj while such dependent is located abroad, which requires hos-
pitalization or similar treatment, and which is not the result of vicious 
habits, intemperance, or misconduct on his part, the Secretary may, 
in accordance with such regulations as he may prescribe, pay for that 
portion of the cost of treatment of each such illness or injury that 
exceeds $35 up to a maximum limitation of one hundred and twenty 
days of treatment for each such illness or injury, except that such 
maximum limitation shall not apply whenever the Secretary, on the 
basis of professional medical advice, shall determine that such illness 
or injury clearly is caused by the fact that such dependent is or has 
been located abroad. 
"(c) After sufficient experience in the operation of the medical pro-
tection plan authorized in subsections (a) and (b) of this section has 
been obtained, as determined by the Secretary, and if he considers 
that the benefits so authorized can be provided for as well and as 
cheaply in other ways, the Secretary may, under such regulations, and 
for such persons, locations, and conditions as he may deem appro-
priate, and within the limits prescribed in such subsections, contract 
for medical care pursuant to such arrangements, insurance, medical 
service, or health plans as he may deem appropriate." 
22 use 1157. 
gEc. 14.' (a) Sectiou 942 (a) of such Act is amended to read as 
follows: 
hol'itd^!'*^"*'"*'' 
"SEC. 942. (a) In the event an officer or employee of the Service who 
is a citizen of the United States or his dependents incurs an illness 
or injury requiring hospitalization, not the result of vicious habits, 
intemperance or misconduct, while stationed abroad in a locality 
where there does not exist a suitable hospital or clinic, the Secretary 
may, in accordance with such regulations as he may prescribe, pay 
the travel expenses of such person by whatever means he shall deem 
appropriate and without regard to the Standardized Government 
Travel Regulations and section 10 of the Act of March 3, 1933, as 
60 Stat. 808. 
amended (68 Stat. 808, 5 U. S. C. 73b), to the nearest locality where a 
suitable hospital or clinic exists, and on his recovery pay for the travel 
expenses of his return from such hospital or clinic. 
If any such 
officer, employee, or dependent is too ill to travel unattended, the 
Secretary may also pay the round-trip travel expenses of an attendant 
or attendants." 
(b) Section 942 (b) of such Act is amended by inserting the words 
"a physician" and a comma immediately following the phrase "the 
services of"; and by inserting immediately following the words "a 
nurse" a comma and the phrase "or other medical personnel". 
70 S T A T . ] 
PUBLIC LAW 828-JULY 28, 1956 
707 
SEC. 15. Section 943 of such Act is amended to read as follows: 
22 use 1158. 
"PHYSICAL EXAMINATIONS AND COSTS OF INOCULATIONS 
"SEC. 943. The Secretary shall, under such regulations as he may 
prescribe, provide for physical examinations for applicants for em-
ployment and for officers and employees of the Service who are citizens 
of the United States, and for their dependents, including examinations 
necessary to establish disability or incapacity in accordance with the 
provisions of section 831, and snail provide for administering inocula-
tions or vaccinations to such officers and employees and their de-
pendents." 
SEC. 16. (a) Foreign Service officers presently serving in the class 
of career ambassador and the class of career minister shall receive the 
salary prescribed for career ambassadors and for career ministers, 
respectively, by section 412 of such Act, as amended. 
(b) Foreign Service officers and Reserve officers in the other classes 
shall be transferred to the new classes established by section 412 of 
such Act, as amended, as follows: Officers of class 1 to the new class 1; 
officers of class 2 to the new class 2; officers of class 3 to the new class 3; 
officers of class 4 to the new classes 4 or 5 as determined by the Secre-
tary, in accordance with the second sentence of this subsection; 
officers of class 5 to the new class 6; and officers of class 6 to the new 
class 7. In accordance with such regulations as the Secretary may 
prescribe there shall be transferred to the new class 4 those officers of 
the present class 4 who either are receiving the sixth through the 
eighth step rates of the present class 4 or who were eligible and were 
recommended for promotion by the selection board next preceding the 
effective date of this Act. All remaining officers in the present class 4 
shall be transferred to the new class 5. 
(c) Each officer transferred pursuant to paragraph (b) of this sec-
tion shall, under such regulations as the Secretary may prescribe, re-
ceive basic salary at that one of the rates of the class to which he is 
transferred which shall, as nearly as possible, correspond to the salary 
he is receiving at the time of transfer, except that no officer shall suffer 
a reduction in basic salary as a result thereof. 
(d) Service in a former class shall be considered as constituting 
service in the new class for the purposes of determining (1) eligibility 
for promotion, in accordance with the provisions of section 622, and 
(2) liability for separation, in accordance with the provisions of sec-
tion 633. Officers who are transferred to new class 7 in accordance 
with paragraph (b) of this section shall continue to occupy proba-
tionary status pursuant to section 635. 
(e) Officers transferred in accordance with the provisions of this 
section shall receive credit for time served in a previous class toward 
in-class promotion in accordance with section 625. 
(f) The class and salary adjustments made pursuant to paragraphs 
(a), (b), and (c) of this section and the salary increases for chiefs 
of mission authorized by section 2 of this Act shall be made effective 
as of the first day of the first pay period which begins after the date 
of enactment of this Act or on the first day of the first pay period which 
begins after July 1,1956, whichever shall be later. 
22 use 1081. 
Ante, p. 704. 
22 use 992. 
22 use 1003. 
22 use 1005. 
Ante, p. 704. 
22 use 995. 
Effective date. 
708 
PUBLIC LAW 829-JULY 28, 1956 
[70 STAT. 
SEO. 17. A new section 936 is hereby added to such Act as follows: 
"APPLICATION OP ANNUAL AND SICK LEAVE ACT OF 1951 
65 Stat. 679. 
"SEC. 936. The Annual and Sick Leave Act of 1951, as amended 
(5 U. S. C. 2061 and the following), shall apply to career ministers 
and Foreign Service officers, who are not serving as chiefs of mission 
or who are not serving in a position in the Department which requires 
appointment by the President, by and with the advice and consent of 
the Senate, and to Foreign Service Keserve officers who are commis-
sioned as diplomatic or consular officers, or both, in accordance with 
22 use 924. 
section 524 of the Foreign Service Act of 1946, as amended, notwith-
I'uf0*20^6h 
standing the provisions of section 202 (c) (1) (A) of the Annual and 
Sick Leave Act of 1951, as amended." 
SEC. 18. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Act, existing rules, 
regulations of or applicable to the Foreign Service of the United 
States shall remain m effect until revoked or rescinded or until modi-
fied or superseded by regulations made in accordance with the provi-
sions of this Act, unless clearly inconsistent with the provisions of 
this Act. 
Approved July 28, 1956. 
Public Law 829 
CHAPTER 771 
July 28, 1956 
^^ 
^^"^ 
fS' 2216] 
To amend the Act of March 4, 1915 (38 Stat. 1086, 1101; 16 U. S. C. 497). 
Be it enacted by the tSenate and House of Representatives 
of the 
u*" crf^and'**** United States of America in Congress asseinhled^ That the last para-
graph under the heading "FOREST SERVICE'' in the Act of March 4,1915 
(38 Stat. 1086, 1101; 16 U. S. C. 49T), is amended to read as follows: 
"The Secretary of Agriculture is authorized, under such regulations 
as he may make and upon such terms and conditions as he may deem 
proper, (a) to permit the use and occupancy of suitable areas of land 
within the national forests, not exceeding eighty acres and for periods 
not exceeding thirty years, for the purpose of constructing or main-
taining hotels, resorts, and any other structures or facilities necessary 
or desirable for recreation, puolic convenience, or safety; (b) to permit 
the use and occupancy of suitable areas of land within the national 
forests, not exceeding five acres and for periods not exceeding thirty 
years, for the purpose of constructing or maintaining summer homes 
and stores; (c) to permit the use and occupancy of suitable areas of 
land within the national forest, not exceeding eighty acres and for 
periods not exceeding thirty years, for the purpose of constructing or 
maintaining buildings, structures, and facilities for industrial or com-
mercial purposes whenever such use is related to or consistent with 
other uses on the national forests; (d) to permit any State or political 
subdivision thereof, or any public or nonprofit agency, to use and 
occupy suitable areas of land within the national forests not exceed-
ing eighty acres and for periods not exceeding thirty years, for the 
purpose of constructing or maintaining any buildings, structures, or 
facilities necessary or desirable for education or for any public use 
or in connection with any public activity. 
The authority provided 
by this paragraph shall be exercised in such manner as not to preclude 
the general public from full enjoyment of the natural, scenic, recrea-
tional, and other aspects of the national forests." 
Approved July 28, 1966.