The Foreign Service Journal, March 2014

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | MARCH 2014 45 AFSA NEWS CALENDAR THE OFFICIAL RECORD OF THE AMERICAN FOREIGN SERVICE ASSOCIATION 3/5/2014 12:00 - 2:00 PM AFSA Governing Board Meeting 3/6/2014 Deadline: AFSA Student Financial Aid Applications 3/4/2014 2:00 - 3:30 PM ”America’s First Globals: Public Diplomats for the 21st Century,” with John Zogby 3/15/2014 Deadline: AFSA High School Essay Contest 3/24/2014 12:00 - 1:00 PM Job Search Program Brown Bag @ FSI 3/25/2014 2:30 - 4:00 PM ”Diplomacy in Difficult Places” with Amb. Gerald Feierstein 4/2/2014 12:00 - 2:00 PM AFSA Governing Board Meeting F. Allen “Tex” Harris Receives Human Rights Award On Dec. 12, F. Allen “Tex” Har- ris, a former AFSA president (1993-1997), was honored by the United Nations Associa- tion of the National Capital Area with their Award for the Use of Diplomacy to Advance Human Rights. Nominated by AFSA President Bob Silverman, the award recognizes Harris’ extraordinary achievements in saving lives during the Argentine military dictator- ship. The ceremony took place in the Caucus Room of the Cannon House Office Building on Capitol Hill. Po i n t o f Hope In 1977, Harris, a mid-level diplomat in Buenos Aires, became a point of hope for thousands of families whose loved ones had been kidnapped, tortured and clandestinely executed by the military junta. Through his work, he helped raise con- sciousness worldwide about the human rights abuses. His initiative to collect first-hand reports from fam- ily members of the more than 14,000 cases of the “disap- peared” was unprecedented. He analyzed the files (this was before the computer age) and reported the facts to the U.S. government and the world press on the junta’s dirty war. This data gave critical veracity to reports of the excesses of the Argentine military junta’s secret pro- gram to eliminate subversion. Cen t e r fo r Human R i gh t s Owing to Harris’ efforts, the U.S. embassy became a human rights center, collecting and reporting information first-hand. These efforts helped to organize an information-sharing program with other key embassies and with the few human rights groups in Buenos Aires. For- eign journalists used Harris as a source for their report- ing. His work had a major impact on public perceptions and governmental policies around the world. Mr. Harris’ human rights advocacy did not end in Argentina. He also worked for nine years on the diplomatic effort to bring democracy to South Africa. As consul general in Durban, Harris focused on connecting the racially isolated communities through building grassroots institutions. He assisted in bringing the first black players into South Africa’s professional rugby teams and warned about the HIV/ AIDS pandemic threatening the region. AFSA Leade r During his tenure as presi- dent, Mr. Harris led efforts to improve working conditions and to end ethnic, gender and racial discrimination within the State Department. Mr. Harris currently serves as a retiree representative on the AFSA Governing Board. n F. Allen “Tex” Harris addresses members of the United Nations Association of the National Capital Area after receiving an award recognizing his human rights work during the Argentine military dictatorship. UNA-NCAPHOTO See 90th Kick-Off Coverage On Page 52