REPORT FOR THE COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN RELATIONS
UNITED STATES SENATE
SUBJECT: Ambassadorial Nomination: Certificate of Demonstrated Competence — Foreign Service Act, Section 304(a)(4)
POST: Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe
CANDIDATE: James Stuart Gilmore, III
James Stuart Gilmore, III, has a long and distinguished career in law, public service, civic leadership, and private business. He was the Governor of Virginia, 1998-2002, and the Attorney General of Virginia, 1993-1997. He served from 1999 to 2003 as Chairman of the Congressional Advisory Panel to Assess Domestic Response Capabilities for Terrorism Involving Weapons of Mass Destruction, a national panel established by Congress to assess federal, state and local government capabilities to respond to the consequences of a terrorist attack. Also known as the “Gilmore Commission,” this panel’s recommendations were influential in developing the Office of Homeland Security. Mr. Gilmore served as the Chairman of the Republican National Committee in 2001.
During his time as Governor, he conducted Trade Missions to eighteen countries in Europe, South America and Asia. Additionally, Mr. Gilmore has traveled to Israel, Australia, Pakistan, Croatia, Canada, and Afghanistan.
Mr. Gilmore is the President and CEO of American Opportunity/Free Congress Foundation, a think tank which promotes pro-growth fiscal policy and offers bi-partisan conservative recommendations on a broad range of economic and national security issues. He is a former Partner in the law firm of Kelley Drye and Warren, in Washington, D.C., he is a member of the Virginia and D.C. Bars, and he has served as a Member of the Board of Directors or Advisor to numerous corporations. Mr. Gilmore was Chairman of the U.S. Air Force Academy’s Board of Visitors, 2002-2005.
Mr. Gilmore is a graduate of the University of Virginia (1971) and the University of Virginia School of Law (1977). Mr. Gilmore served in the U.S. Army from 1971-1974, assigned to U.S. Army Intelligence in West Germany. He speaks German. He is a recipient of the Air Force Exceptional Service Award and the Joint Service Commendation Medal for Service to NATO.