Celebrating American Diplomacy.

AuthorHollen, Senator Chris Van

American Diplomacy

November 1, 2021

www.americandiplomacy.org

Title: Celebrating American Diplomacy

Author:Senator Chris Van Hollen

Text:

Editor's note: This is an unofficial transcript of Senator Chris Van Hollen's keynote address to the October 14 webinar on ""How Does U.S. Diplomacy Benefit Americans?", hosted by theAmerican Diplomacy Journal.

Thank you, Ambassador Pearson for that introduction. And let me salute you, the entire American Diplomacy Journal family, and the UNC-Chapel Hill community for organizing and hosting today's event in celebration of the 25th anniversary of the American Diplomacy Journal.

There's no question that this program's theme, what diplomacy does for Americans, is on the front of everyone's minds especially given the current challenges in Afghanistan and the fast-paced events around the world. In recent weeks in Afghanistan, our diplomats have been on the front lines working overtime to orchestrate the safe evacuation of Americans and many of our closest Afghan partners.

Even though the last American soldier has left Afghanistan, America's diplomats are still working around the clock in capitals around the world to bring people to safety.

I believe we have an obligation to ensure the safety and help those Afghans who for years have worked closely in support of our common mission. Our nation's diplomats display extraordinary courage each and every day, often putting themselves in harm's way for the rest of us.

And for me, this issue isn't just political, it's personal. I was born into a foreign service family. I was born in Karachi, Pakistan, and lived in India, Sri Lanka, and Turkey. From a young age I witnessed firsthand the immense impact our diplomats have in furthering American security, American interests, and important values and principles around the world--work that has direct consequences on our ability to live in peace and prosperity here at home.

Throughout my career I've gotten to work side-by-side with the extraordinary men and women of our Foreign Service, and others who are part of the State Department family, first as a young staff member on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, then as a member of the House of Representatives, and now as a United States Senator, and I'm proud to currently serve on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee where I chair the Senate Subcommittee on Africa and Global Health Policy.

I believe without reservation that the United States and the world benefit from...

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