The Foreign Service Journal, March 2011

M A R C H 2 0 1 1 / F O R E I G N S E R V I C E J O U R N A L 49 eration has been of fundamental importance in two developments critically important to the people of the Foreign Service and to diplomatic effectiveness. First, as a result of AFSA’s fight for overseas comparability pay, in June 2009 Congress acted to begin to close the ever-widening OCP gap. Second, from 2007 through today the AFSA congressional team has partnered with the American Academy of Diplomacy in pushing for an additional 4,700 new positions for State and USAID to be funded by the 150 Account. Through the regular budgets and supplementals of 2008, 2009 and 2010 (and possibly 2011), some 3,200 new positions have already been added. This is an historic achievement. All empty State positions in Washington and abroad have now been filled; USAID is growing in numbers and capability; and we have made a strong start on establishing a training float that will produce dramatic improve- ments in professional develop- ment for all Foreign Service personnel. Past victories validate the value of our congressional opera- tion. But they do not, of course, guarantee future success. We currently face enormous pressure for reductions in the 150 Account, so the period imme- diately ahead is going to be extraordinarily challenging for us. Mindful of this, AFSA is working to deepen our advocacy strength further through internal management changes and development and reconfiguration of the professional staff. Still, in the last analysis the key to our effectiveness will remain, as always, the financial and operational sup- port of our members. ■ F O C U S Past victories validate the value of our congressional operation. But they do not, of course, guarantee future success.