Established in 1924 with the merging of the
US Consular Service and the US Diplomatic
Service, the United States Foreign Service
is America’s first line of defense. Every
President and Secretary of State since the
end of World War II has relied upon the critical
role our diplomats play in preserving the
peace. Its 9,500 well-educated, highly trained
and multilingual professionals, representative
of the American people, promote US interests
and values around the world through embassies,
consulates and missions to international organizations.
Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson and John
Adams were among America’s first diplomats.
Later, the diplomatic service evolved into
a corps of distinguished professionals who
managed America’s bilateral relations
with the independent countries of the world.
A separate consular service promoted American
business, particularly shipping, and protected
sailors and Americans in other countries.
In 1790 there were only two diplomatic missions,
London and Paris, and 10 consular posts. By
1800 the number had tripled and in 1900 there
were 41 diplomatic missions and 318 consular
posts. In 1924 the two systems were merged.
Today there are some 250 posts abroad, staffed
by Foreign Service officers and specialists
representing four US government agencies –
in addition to the Department of State, there
are the Agency for International Development,
the Foreign Agricultural Service, and the
Foreign Commercial Service.
When serving abroad, Foreign Service personnel
analyze and report on political and economic
developments, including agricultural trends,
humanitarian and social conditions. They identify
export markets, negotiate international agreements,
and interpret US policies and interests for
foreign governments, opinion leaders and publics.
They provide a wide range of services to American
tourists, businessmen and residents. They
issue visas to foreign nationals, provide
development assistance, and arrange cultural
exchanges.
The Foreign Service also addresses many of
these issues through the United Nations and
its specialized agencies, and in regional
organizations like NATO and the Organization
of American States. Specialists include professionals
in the areas of security, communications,
information and financial management; medical
doctors and technologists, nurse practitioners,
administrative assistants, security engineers,
and maintenance personnel. Also, about 7700
foreign nationals who are hired locally play
a significant role in furthering US policy
objectives.
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| Excerpts
from remarks
by Secretary
of State Madeleine
K. Albright
at the 75th
Anniversary
Dinner of the
US Foreign Service,
May 24, 1999.
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"The job of the Foreign Service
today is done with hands on and sleeves
rolled up. It is rarely glamorous, often
dangerous and always vital.
"In my travels, I have seen people
at work not only in conference rooms,
but in visits to refugee camps, AIDS
clinics and mass grave sites. I have
seen them share their knowledge and
enthusiasm for democracy with those
striving to build a better life in larger
freedom.
"I have seen them and their families
give freely of their energy and time
to comfort the ill and aid the impoverished.
I have seen them provide incredible
administrative support despite antiquated
equipment, crowded workspace and impossible
time constraints. And I’ve stood
with head bowed at memorial services
for heroes struck down while representing
America or helping others to achieve
peace….
"So let us not be shy about proclaiming
this truth. In a turbulent and perilous
world, the men and women of the Foreign
Service are on the front lines every
day, on every continent for us. Like
the men and women of our armed forces
– no more, but no less – they
deserve, for they have earned, the gratitude
and full backing of the American people."
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The United States leads the world in addressing
global challenges. Our Foreign Service works
ceaselessly to promote free market economies
and prevent further nuclear proliferation;
helps others to develop democratic institutions
and enlists their support in the fight against
narcotics and terrorism; insures international
cooperation on matters such as air traffic
control, food and drug inspection, and the
uses of cyberspace. Working with international
institutions, our diplomats seek progress
in meeting global concerns about the environment,
refugees, poverty, the status of women and
children, education and disease control.
And so, what your Foreign Service does matters
to every American in many ways every day.
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