A resolution designating May 1, 2026, as "United States Foreign Service Day" in recognition of the men and women who have served, or are presently serving, in the Foreign Service of the United States, and honoring the members of the Foreign Service who have given their lives in the line of duty.

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 777 Agreed to Senate (ATS)]

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119th CONGRESS
  2d Session
S. RES. 777

 Designating May 1, 2026, as ``United States Foreign Service Day'' in 
  recognition of the men and women who have served, or are presently 
serving, in the Foreign Service of the United States, and honoring the 
 members of the Foreign Service who have given their lives in the line 
                                of duty.

_______________________________________________________________________

                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                             June 17, 2026

 Mr. Sullivan (for himself and Mr. Van Hollen) submitted the following 
             resolution; which was considered and agreed to

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION

 
 Designating May 1, 2026, as ``United States Foreign Service Day'' in 
  recognition of the men and women who have served, or are presently 
serving, in the Foreign Service of the United States, and honoring the 
 members of the Foreign Service who have given their lives in the line 
                                of duty.

Whereas the Foreign Service of the United States (referred to in this preamble 
        as the ``Foreign Service'') was established through the enactment of the 
        Act entitled ``An Act for the reorganization and improvement of the 
        Foreign Service of the United States, and for other purposes'', approved 
        May 24, 1924 (43 Stat. 140, chapter 182) (commonly known as the ``Rogers 
        Act of 1924''), and is now celebrating its 102nd anniversary;
Whereas the Rogers Act of 1924 established a career organization based on 
        competitive examination and merit promotion;
Whereas the diplomatic, consular, communications, trade, development, security, 
        public diplomacy, and commercial diplomacy that Foreign Service 
        personnel perform constitute the first and most cost-effective 
        instrument of the United States to protect and promote United States 
        interests abroad, making America safer, stronger, and more prosperous;
Whereas the men and women of the Foreign Service and their families are 
        increasingly exposed to risks and danger, even in times of peace, and 
        many have died in the service of the United States;
Whereas employees of the Foreign Service work daily--

    (1) to ensure the national security of the United States;

    (2) to provide assistance to United States citizens overseas;

    (3) to preserve peace, freedom, and economic prosperity around the 
world;

    (4) to promote internationally recognized human rights and democracy 
and their positive relationship to United States security interests;

    (5) to promote transparency and provide accurate information on 
international developments;

    (6) to cultivate new markets for United States products and services, 
including energy exports, and develop new investment opportunities that 
create jobs in the United States and promote prosperity;

    (7) to combat illegal trade in goods and services, including illegal, 
unreported, or unregulated fishing, illicit financial flows, trafficking in 
persons, and illegal drugs;

    (8) to promote economic development; and

    (9) to provide emergency and humanitarian assistance to respond to 
crises around the world and to fight disease;

Whereas the foreign affairs agencies and the American Foreign Service 
        Association have observed Foreign Service Day in May for many years; and
Whereas it is both appropriate and just for the United States as a whole to 
        recognize the dedication of the men and women of the Foreign Service and 
        to honor the members of the Foreign Service who have given their lives 
        in the loyal pursuit of their duties and responsibilities representing 
        the interests of the United States and of its citizens: Now, therefore, 
        be it
    Resolved, That the Senate--
            (1) honors the men and women who have served, or are 
        presently serving, in the Foreign Service of the United States 
        for their dedicated and important service to the United States;
            (2) calls on the people of the United States to reflect on 
        the service and sacrifice of past, present, and future 
        employees of the Foreign Service of the United States, wherever 
        they serve, with appropriate ceremonies and activities; and
            (3) designates May 1, 2026, as ``United States Foreign 
        Service Day''.
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