For Immediate Release
October 18, 2021
Contact: Executive Director Ásgeir Sigfússon | sigfusson@afsa.org

Washington, D.C. – The American Foreign Service Association, the professional association and labor union of the United States Foreign Service, greatly mourns the passing of former Secretary of State Colin L. Powell.

Secretary Powell was a true patriot and public servant, spending 47 years in the service of his nation in both the military and as a civilian. During this time, he served in multiple important roles, including Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, National Security Advisor and Secretary of State.

Those in the State Department, and the Foreign Service writ large, will always remember that Secretary Powell truly believed in taking care of his “troops” and acted on that belief. Few Secretaries have devoted as much time and energy to ensuring that the professional career Foreign Service was properly staffed, resourced, consulted, and respected. For that, Secretary Powell will always be remembered with great affection and appreciation.

AFSA sends its deepest condolences to Secretary Powell’s wife Alma, to his family, and to his many friends and colleagues around the world.

AFSA, the voice of the Foreign Service, is the professional association and labor union of the U.S. Foreign Service. Founded in 1924, AFSA represents 31,000 active and retired Foreign Service employees at the Department of State, U.S. Agency for International Development, Foreign Commercial Service, Foreign Agricultural Service, the U.S. Agency for Global Media, and the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.