Deputy Secretary Negroponte to Present Secretary of State’s 2007 Awards for Outstanding Volunteerism Abroad

Deputy Secretary of State John D. Negroponte will present the 2007 Associates of the American Foreign Service Worldwide Secretary of State’s Award for Outstanding Volunteerism Abroad to the five winners in different geographic regions at a ceremony on Tuesday, December 4 at 10:30 a.m. in the Benjamin Franklin Diplomatic Reception Room at the Department of State.

The Awards recognize U.S. Government employees and family members at embassies and consulates who gave exceptional volunteer service to their communities, host country or expatriates, or rendered outstanding assistance in emergencies. This year’s Award winners include:

Neill Krost – Cotonou, Benin (Africa)
Alison Padget – Beijing, China (East Asia and Pacific)
Dennis Nice – Zagreb, Croatia (Europe)
Paul Sabatine – Dhaka, Bangladesh (Near East and South East Asia)
Maria Pontes – Managua, Nicaragua (Western Hemisphere)

A brief synopsis of the volunteer activity that earned each winner her/his award can be found at: http://www.aafsw.org/aafsw/awards/2007awards.htm

The award ceremony is open for press coverage. Members of the press wishing to attend should contact Public Affairs Officer Brenda Greenberg at (202) 647-4282.

Pre-set time for cameras: 9:30 a.m.
Final access time for all press: 10:15 a.m.

Media representatives may attend this award ceremony upon presentation of one of the following: (1) a U.S. Government-issued identification card (Department of State, White House, Congress, Department of Defense, or Foreign Press Center), (2) a media-issued photo identification card, or (3) a letter from their employer on letterhead verifying their employment as a journalist, accompanied by an official photo identification (driver’s license or passport). Those who do not have a State Department building pass should allow adequate time to clear through security at the 23^rd Street entrance.

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