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“PAYING TRIBUTE TO THE EXTRAORDINARY SERVICE OF AMBASSADOR RUTH A. DAVIS” mentioning the U.S. Dept of State was published in the Extensions of Remarks section on pages E991 on June 24, 2016.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
PAYING TRIBUTE TO THE EXTRAORDINARY SERVICE OF AMBASSADOR RUTH A. DAVIS
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HON. CHARLES B. RANGEL
of new york
in the house of representatives
Friday, June 24, 2016
Mr. RANGEL. Mr. Speaker, I would like to congratulate Ambassador Ruth A. Davis on receiving the prestigious Lifetime Contributions to American Diplomacy award. I want to give thanks to this exceptional public servant for her exemplary service to her country as a United States diplomat. Her contributions to American diplomacy over the length of her impressive career with the Department of State, as well as in retirement, have contributed to making the world a safer and more peaceful place. Her vision has especially ensured that the future of America's diplomacy reflects our country's strength--its diversity.
Ambassador Davis was born in Phoenix, Arizona, but was primarily raised in Atlanta, Georgia during the Jim Crow era. She graduated magna cum laude from Spelman College where she studied abroad in Europe and the Middle East as a Merrill Scholar. She later received her Master's Degree from the University of California at Berkeley. In 1969, she embarked on one of the most challenging and rewarding careers as a U.S. diplomat.
Among her many notable accomplishments, Ambassador Davis was the first African American to become a Career Ambassador, the highest ranking position within the Foreign Service. At the time of her retirement, she was the longest-serving Career Ambassador in the department's history. Her hard work, sacrifice, and dedication to public service allowed her to serve her country all over the globe including in Porto, Benin, Nairobi, Kenya, Tokyo, Japan, Barcelona, Spain, and Naples, Italy. As the Consul General in Barcelona, Spain, she played an important leadership role in the organization of the 1992 Barcelona Olympic Games, and later utilized her experience to help Atlanta's successful Olympic bid in 1996. As a colleague and a friend, I have always admired her strength, tenacity, and selflessness in choosing to serve on the frontlines of American foreign policy at a time when the participation of African Americans and women was not welcomed at home or abroad. Through her leadership, she emulated the excellence of our society to America's global partners and pioneered a path and secured a place for minorities to represent our nation as diplomats.
Her unique talents and skills continued to bring greater understanding of and interaction between domestic and foreign policy matters. As a Pearson Fellow, she worked as a Special Advisor for International Affairs for the Washington, DC Municipal Government where she substantially enhanced the city's involvement in the international, economic, cultural, and diplomatic fields. In 2002, she was nominated by Secretary of State Colin Powell and appointed by President George W. Bush as the Director General of the U.S. Foreign Service. As the Director General, Ambassador Davis managed the promotion, discipline, career development, recruitment, and retirement policies and for all of the State Department's Foreign and Civil Service employees. During her time in Washington, she generously imparted her knowledge, expertise, and wisdom as the Distinguished Advisor for International Affairs at Howard University.
I am lucky to count Ambassador Davis as a friend and a fellow advocate of civil rights. She has dedicated her life in the Foreign Service and beyond to fostering the next diverse generation of diplomats. Her work as a mentor and supporter of those from underrepresented backgrounds will ensure that America's diplomatic force mirrors the beautiful mosaic of races, religions, and ethnicities in our country. From her service at Howard University, to the President of the Thursday Luncheon Group, an affinity group at the State Department, to her helping found the International Women's Entrepreneurial Challenge, to her endless support for the Charles B. Rangel Fellowship, she has worked tirelessly to ensure that the Foreign Service is a more inclusive, and thus a more effective institution. I am certain that her efforts in diversifying the American diplomatic corps and mentoring rising diplomats will continue to advance the safety, security, and prosperity of our country for years to come.
Mr. Speaker, for this, I ask that you and my distinguished colleagues in Congress join me in applauding this extraordinary public servant, whose service to our country has made the U.S. and the world a better place.
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