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Feature Story:
Public Service Recognition Week
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Edward W. "Skip" Gnehm Jr., director general of the Foreign Service and director of Personnel, welcomed recipients, their families and invited guests to the event. Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Thomas R. Pickering presented Department-wide awards to 46 recipients or their representatives.
Foreign Service Youth Awards
The Foreign Service Youth Foundation, with the support of the Association of American Foreign Service Women and coordinated by the Family Liaison Office, recognized Foreign Service teenagers who demonstrated outstanding leadership in community service or service to their peers.
Adrienne Ammerman, 17, was honored for her service to orphans and disabled children and for organizing creative fund raising to support local shelters for abused women and children in Hong Kong.
Thomas Fitzpatrick, 18, was honored for his work organizing community focus groups with his school chapter of Amnesty International and for his service to a Vienna, Austria, soup kitchen and refugee shelter.
Natalya Habis, 16, was cited for her involvement with Saturday School for children from Bengali slums and for teaching English at a village school.
Sandra Hart, 15, was recognized for serving on the all-City Student Forum on Race and Culture in Alexandria, Va.
Anneliese O'Brien, 16, was commended for her long-term commitment to tutoring students with learning disabilities at Miner Elementary School and for helping Alzheimer's patients at Sunrise Assisted Living in Arlington, Va.
Rhiannon Rhea, 14, was cited for her ground-breaking volunteer work at a Chinese orphanage in Chengdu, China.
Ben Dworken, 18, and Jennifer Joeyen-Waldorf, 18, supported the FSYF organization, Around the World in a Lifetime, through publication of its monthly newsletter, WINGS.
Jesse, Rebekkah and Sarah Laeuchli; James and Rhiannon Rhea; and Alena and David Tansey were given special group recognition for comforting and protecting younger children during the frightening anti-American demonstrations and rioting in Chengdu that followed the bombing of the Chinese Embassy in Belgrade in May 1999.
Foreign Service National of the Year Awards
The Department honored Foreign Service National employees selected from the six regional bureaus as Foreign Service National Employees of the Year. Dejan Perc, financial specialist from Belgrade, the Bureau of European Affairs awardee, was chosen Department-wide FSN of the Year. FSNs of the Year from the other regional bureaus were Angella E.A. Williams, protocol assistant from Sierra Leone, Bureau of African Affairs; Mary-Lou Forrest, travel and shipping assistant from New Zealand, Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs; Magda S. Barsoum, cultural affairs specialist from Egypt, Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs; Mohammad Pervaiz Ansari, financial specialist from Pakistan, Bureau of South Asian Affairs; and Ermitas Perez, political specialist from Panama, Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs (see story on page 25).
Excellence in Labor Diplomacy Award
William A. Heidt of the U.S. Embassy in Phnom Penh received the Award for Excellence in Labor Diplomacy for sustained and forceful advocacy of internationally recognized worker rights in Cambodia. His innovative strategies and close cooperation with nascent Cambodian unions, government authorities, apparel manufacturers and the International Labor Organization led to a precedent-setting U.S.-Cambodian trade agreement with specific workers' rights provisions.
General Services Officer of the Year Award
Dorothy K. Sarro from the U.S. Office in Pristina received the General Services Officer of the Year Award for her strong leadership, diplomacy and tireless efforts during a most difficult period in Kosovo. Through Ms. Sarro's efforts, the U.S. office has become a model of excellence in support of U.S. foreign policy goals.
Chief Financial Officer's Award
Myrna M. Aragon in the Bureau of Financial Management and Policy received the Chief Financial Officer's Award for Distinction in Public Finance. The award recognizes Ms. Aragon's significant contributions to strengthening financial management.
Charles E. Cobb Jr. Award
This award recognizes the contributions of two persons to developing trade and promoting exports.
R. Nicholas Burns, U.S. Ambassador to Greece, received the Charles E. Cobb Jr. Award for Initiative and Success in Trade Development for his exceptional achievement in expanding U.S. trade and investment opportunities with Greece.
Michael S. Owen of the U.S. Embassy in Colombo received his award for his remarkable success in promoting U.S. trade and investment and advancing U.S. economic policy initiatives in Sri Lanka and the Maldives.
Warren Christopher Award
Linda Thomas-Greenfield of the U.S. Mission in Geneva received the Warren Christopher Award for Outstanding Achievement in Global Affairs in recognition of her outstanding contributions to U.S. humanitarian policy, including her extraordinary success in integrating humanitarian issues with overall U.S. interests.
The James Clement Dunn Award
Patrick H. Hegarty from the Bureau of Consular Affairs was awarded the James Clement Dunn Award for Excellence in recognition of his accomplishments as the Bureau's director of American citizens services and crisis management. Mr. Hegarty demonstrated outstanding leadership, professionalism, compassion and dedication to the well-being of the American citizens he served.
Director General's Award for Excellence in
Rita K. Daniels of the U.S. Embassy in Hanoi received the Director General's Award for Excellence in Personnel Management for her outstanding leadership in planning, organizing and managing the embassy's personnel program.
Director General's Award for Reporting and Analysis
Michael J. Fitzpatrick from the U.S. Embassy in Bogota received the Director General's Award for Reporting and Analysis for his exceptional reporting and analysis of Colombian affairs. Mr. Fitzpatrick's reporting focused on key issues in U.S.-Colombian relations, demonstrated great insight and analytical skills and was of extraordinary value to U.S. policy makers.
Outstanding Deputy Chief of Mission Award
Richard A. Christenson of the U.S. Embassy in Seoul was awarded the Baker-Wilkins Award for Outstanding Deputy Chief of Mission in recognition of his outstanding performance as deputy chief of mission and chargé d'affaires in Seoul. He demonstrated an unusually impressive record of accomplishment as a leader and motivator of a true interagency team; as an eloquent representative of American policy and culture; and as a committed, savvy advocate of U.S. interests. He tackled some of the most difficult and complicated issues facing the Foreign Service.
The Equal Employment Opportunity Group Award
Cecily J. Bostock, Gloria J. Junge and Herbert L. Treger from the U.S. Embassy in Kampala were awarded the Equal Employment Opportunity Group Award for their outstanding leadership and exceptional work in furthering the Department's equal opportunity and affirmative action goals at the embassy in Uganda. Their innovative approaches to recruitment, training, disability issues and improvement of morale helped to create a more positive work environment in the embassy.
Facilities Manager of the Year Award
Robert J. Kopchak from the U.S. Embassy in Colombo was named Facilities Manager of the Year for skillfully improving the reliability of the post's systems and equipment by using proper preventive maintenance technologies. Mr. Kopchak contributed significantly to improving the health, safety and quality of life of his Foreign Service colleagues in Sri Lanka.
The Robert C. Frasure Memorial Award
Kenneth Yalowitz, U.S. Ambassador to Georgia, was honored as the Department employee who best exemplifies Ambassador Frasure's commitment to peace and the alleviation of human suffering caused by war or civil injustice. Ambassador Yalowitz was recognized for his extraordinary effectiveness and dedication in developing strategies to prevent the spillover of violence in Chechnya into Georgia. His successful campaign to prevent the spread of war through diplomacy and prudent border defenses represents the highest ideals of the late Ambassador Robert C. Frasure and the U.S. Foreign Service.
The Leamon R. Hunt Award for Administrative Excellence
Patricia N. Moller from the Foreign Service Institute was awarded the Leamon R. Hunt Award for Administrative Excellence, recognizing her proven skill, judgment and dedication to her work in the U.S. Embassy in Belgrade. Ms. Moller personified true administrative excellence in organizing and carrying out three authorized departures and the final suspension of mission operations during her tour. When praised for Belgrade's smooth evacuation, the ambassador said credit should go "first and foremost to Patricia Moller."
Innovation in the Use of Technology Award
Stuart C. Toleman, Senior Policy Analyst for Procurement in the Bureau of Administration, received the Innovation in the Use of Technology Award for using technology to revolutionize the way the Department purchases supplies and services. Mr. Toleman's imaginative ideas saved the Department more than $1 million. His innovations solved procurement problems domestically and overseas by eliminating onerous manual tasks associated with contracting. Mr. Toleman's actions have made the procurement system more responsive and productive.
Linguist of the Year Award
Alfred R. Maglebyfrom the U.S. Embassy in Riyadh received the Linguist of the Year Award for advancing U.S. interests through his proficiency in the Japanese language while he was stationed in Tokyo. Mr. Magleby's mastery of Japanese was a pivotal instrument in accomplishing the mission's objectives in Tokyo. He not only set a high standard for the successful acquisition and maintenance of a difficult language, but he used that language effectively on behalf of the United States.
The Thomas Morrison Information Management Award
Dominick Logalbo from the U.S. Embassy in Georgetown received the Thomas Morrison Information Management Award for making significant improvements in information management operations in the embassy in Guyana. Mr. Logalbo established an Internet-accessible database that provides a "900"-style answering service for immigrant visa inquiries--the first such system in the world. His system for handling visa inquiries will have global applicability in alleviating embassies' overloaded telephone lines and facilitating the work of consular sections.
The Arnold L. Raphel Memorial Award
Kristie A. Kenney, Office of the Secretariat, was awarded the Arnold L. Raphel Memorial Award for her unwavering commitment to the professional development of members of both the Civil and Foreign Service. Ms. Kenney's sincere interest in her colleagues, her inspired leadership and her dedication to equal opportunity have made an enormous difference in the lives of numerous Department employees.
The Luther I. Replogle Award for Management Improvement
Bruce F. Morrison of the Foreign Service Institute received this award for his outstanding contributions and revolutionary advances in improving the management of the Department's information technology training programs. His vision and direction have been key factors in this remarkable transformation.
The Herbert Salzman Award for Excellence in International Economic Performance
Patricia Haslach from the U.S. Embassy in Jakarta received the Herbert Salzman Award for Excellence in International Economic Performance for her exceptional success with business and policy advocacy in the Indonesian energy sector.
Security Professional of the Year Award
Robert E. Soule from the Bureau of Diplomatic Security was named Security Professional of the Year for his innovative approach to implementing a ground-breaking, multimillion-dollar program that makes it possible to perform technical security upgrades on a global scale.
Civil Service Secretary of the Year Award
Noel A. Bushelle of the Bureau of African Affairs received the Civil Service Secretary of the Year award for her extraordinary dedication and professional achievement in the bureau, reflecting the highest ideals and traditions of the Civil Service.
Office Management Specialist of the Year Award
Beverly J. Atkinson from the U.S. Embassy in Doha received the Office Management Specialist of the Year Award for her extraordinary dedication and professional achievement at the embassy, reflecting the highest ideals and traditions of the Foreign Service.
The Barbara M. Watson Award for Consular Excellence
Edward J. Ramotowski from the U.S. Embassy in Nassau was awarded the Barbara M. Watson Award for Consular Excellence for successfully meeting the challenges of a massive increase in visa applications and the onslaught of a major hurricane. Mr. Ramotowski demonstrated superb leadership and crisis management skills while increasing and improving the embassy's visibility and services to the local American community.
2000 AFSA/AAFSW Merit Awards
The Honorable C. Edward Dillery, chairman, AFSA Committee on Education, introduced the awardees and presented their awards.
Co-sponsored by the American Foreign Service Association Scholarship Fund and the Associates of the American Foreign Service Worldwide, this year's Merit Award winners are listed below. The program recognizes the academic and artistic achievements of Foreign Service high school seniors. Winners receive $1,500 awards and honorable mention winners receive $400 awards.
Students compete on their grade point average, Scholastic Assessment Test scores, rank in class, essay, letters of recommendation, extracurricular activities and any special circumstances. Students can also submit an art entry under one of the following categories: visual arts, musical arts, drama, dance or creative writing.
Academic Merit Winners
Academic Merit Honorable Mention Winners
Best Essay Winner
Community Service Winner
Art Merit Winner
ith fitting pomp and pageantry, an armed forces color guard presented the colors and the U.S. Marine Brass Quintet played the National Anthem to begin the annual Departmental Awards Ceremony for the Year 2000. The event took place in the Benjamin Franklin Room of the Department of State on May 4.
Personnel Management
Daniel Arellano, Aaron Barth, Hannah Fried, Amanda Heffernan, Keith Henneke, Louis-John Janowski, Daniel Keegan, Tamar Losleben, Todd Lyster, Nathaniel Myers, Jessica Somers, Jessica Tyson , Kristen Wayne, Olivia Wills, Monica Wilson
Veronique Anderson, Anna Blabey, Benjamin Christensen, Benjamin Dworken, Christine Garrett, Cullen Newton, Kurt Rupprecht
Laura Tarrant
Edward Messmer
Shanta Cortez-Greig
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