The Foreign Service Journal, May 2023

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | MAY 2023 19 Commemorative Coin Proposed for FS Centennial O n March 14, Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska) introduced the United States Foreign Service Commemorative Coin Act, bipartisan legislation to create a commemorative coin celebrating 100 years of the U.S. Foreign Service. The bill mandates the U.S. Mint to release a commemorative coin in 2025 to mark 100 years since the enactment of legislation creating the modern-day Foreign Service. Proceeds from sales of the coins would benefit the Association for Dip- lomatic Studies and Training (ADST), which is dedicated to preserving the history and sharing the experiences of Foreign Service members. This legislation is supported by AFSA, ADST, the American Academy of Diplomacy, Associates of the American Foreign Service Worldwide, Associa- tion of Black American Ambassadors, DACOR, Diplomacy Center Foundation, Public Diplomacy Council of America, Senior Seminar Alumni Association, and USAID Alumni Association. State Settles 17-Year-Old Lawsuit T he State Department has agreed to pay almost $38 million to settle a 17-year-old lawsuit between the depart- ment and more than 200 class action members who alleged that Foreign Service medical clearance policy illegally discrim- inated against applicants with disabilities. The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission approved the settlement on March 17, after which the department was expected to offer immediate job opportunities to 100 class action members.