The Foreign Service Journal, April 2004

A FSAPresident JohnLimbert attend- edanentry-levelprofessionalsregion- alconferenceinWindhoek,Namibia, in February. Here’s his message to AFSA members about his trip: “Congratulations to our Windhoek and AF/EX colleagues for putting together asuperbevent. Therewereover100employ- ees there representing almost all fields and specialties.During the conferenceweheard fromActingAssistant SecretarySnyder, and (byvideoconference)fromSecretaryPowell, Under Secretary Grossman and Assistant Secretary forConsularAffairsMauraHarty. “I was most impressed by the range of talents andthepositive spirit I encountered. While all are doing excellent work, I would singleoutforspecialmentionourentry-level GSOandconsularcolleagues,whohavevery sensitive jobs often performed under diffi- cultanddangerousconditions. Doyouthink GSOwork at an isolated,maximum-hard- ship African post is easy? Try it sometime. FOREIGN AFFAIRS DAY 2004 Join AFSA for 39th Retiree Homecoming P lanningisunderwayfortheStateDepartment’s annual ForeignAffairsDay celebration, Friday, May 7. Invitations have been sent to all those who attended last year’s event, as well as all new retirees. If youwish to receive an invitation, e-mail foreignaffairsday@state.gov, or call Peter Whaley at (202) 663-2383. As in previous years, there will be a wide selection of seminars presented by regional bureaus andotherdepartment offices, aswell as agala luncheon intheBenjaminFranklinRoomat theState Department. The 2004 AFSAMemorial Plaque ceremony will take place during Foreign Affairs Day tohonor thoseForeignServicepersonnelwho lost their liveswhile serving their countryabroad in foreign affairs. The solemn ceremony, including the presence of anArmed Forces Color Guard, will be held at the site of AFSA’s Memorial Plaque in the C Street lobby of the State Department at 10 a.m. Secretary of State Colin Powell, who has presided at the last three plaque ceremonies, has been invited toonce againhelpus honor our fallencolleagues. There are currently 215 names on the two Memorial Plaques, located in the east and west wings of the lobby. Although we are grateful that it appears no additional names will be added to theMemorial Plaques this year, this ceremony is anopportunity toremember all thosedirect- hire government employees who have made the ultimate sacrifice while serving under the authority of a chief of mission. We are also reminded of the very real dangers and risks that our Foreign Service personnel continue to face every day nomatter where in theworld they may serve. American Foreign Service Association • April 2004 Inside This Issue: BRIEFS: NEW FAS VP .........................2 LOCALITY PAY JOB #1.......................3 FCS NEEDS REFORM..........................4 A FOND FAREWELL ............................5 RETIREE COLUMN ..............................6 PORTABLE CAREERS..........................7 Q&A: TRAINING & LODGING..............8 Continued on page 4 AFSA NEWS AFSA PRESIDENT ON THE ROAD Limbert Meets with Entry-Level Employees in Africa Continued on page 4 A FSA congratulates the winners of the 2003 Matilda W. Sinclaire Language Awards. These awards are presented annually by AFSA to Foreign Service employ- ees who have distinguished themselves in the study of hard languages and associated cultures. Each of the winners will receive $1,000 and a certificate of recognition from AFSA. RECOGNITION FOR STUDY OF HARD LANGUAGES AFSA Announces Sinclaire Language Award Winners Continued on page 5 JOSH