The Foreign Service Journal, June 2009

J U N E 2 0 0 9 / F O R E I G N S E R V I C E J O U R N A L 47 A F S A N E W S A s I write this column, the fate of the Foreign Com- mercial Service still hangs very much in the balance. On April 23 and April 28, Secretary of Commerce Gary Locke testified on the Hill on our department’s budget. Commerce’s $7 billion budget is so broad, with somany urgent priorities, that FCS’s $237million portion gets very little attention. Despite four hours of tes- timony, our budget issue did not get one mention. We are like Jonah, lost in the belly of the leviathan. The Secretary was questioned about the census, from which much political power stems; about digital television, the improper management of which is more likely to spur a revolution in this country than anything else; and on the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Ad- ministration and climate change issues. He was grilled on patents and fried on fisheries. We know that Sec. Locke is knowledgeable and cares about trade issues, and we know he has gotten the message that the Foreign Commercial Service is in bad straits and sorely needs resources. In his confirmation testimony on the Hill, the Sec- retary called us“one of the most under-recognized and underappreciated services in government.” He regularly points out that the state of Washington, where he was governor for two terms, is the most trade-dependent state in the union. But will this be enough to save us when the president is calling for widespread government cuts? Acting Under Secretary for International Trade Michelle O’Neill has been on the Hill twice recently, and although she was received in a positive and support- ive way, she is not optimistic about FY 2010. We have heard that there are ambi- tious plans afoot for a significant increase of personnel in the FY 2011 budget — now, if we can just last that long! The best thing we have going for us is the group of dedicated friends we have developed over the years through our hard, caring and sincere work. Recently, the Business Council for International Understanding delivered a strong and clear message to the Secretary that we need more resources. (Thank you, BCIU Presi- dent and CEO Peter Tichansky!) The District Export Councils are working very actively on the Hill as well, and National Association of Manufacturers Vice Pres- ident FrankVargo was a star in his testimony there on our behalf. So we take great heart from our friends. Despite all our adversity, we know we make a difference to many. While this effort goes on, we continue to work with management on our midterm proposals, as well as on proposals they have put forward on changes in the rules for promotion into and within the Senior Commercial Service. It goes slowly, but I expect by my next writing there will be something to report. In the meantime, thanks for your input and your help with all our efforts. V.P. VOICE: FCS BY KEITH CURTIS Our Friends on the Hill Attention Amateur Radio Enthusiasts! The American Foreign Service Radio Network, which has been in service since 1968, exists primarily to support employ- ees serving in the many embassies, con- sulates, Peace Corps missions and other official postings around the world, as well as friends and colleagues on domestic as- signment. Because this group meets on amateur radio frequencies, people desiring to par- ticipate need to have the appropriate li- cense and authorization for the country in which they are currently residing. Since his arrival two years ago in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., for assignment at the Re- gional Information Management Center, RIMC technician J Edgar McDermott, ama- teur call NS5N, has activated the club sta- tion, K4DOS, each week when he is not traveling. He reports that there is also a strong movement afoot to activate the main State station, W3DOS, and have both in operation and available for TDY amateurs wishing to participate in the weekly nets or utilize the equipment for casual contacts or contest participation. “At the time of this writing, our Net Con- trol Station is KF7E, Jim Henderson, lo- cated in Phoenix, Ariz.,” says McDermott. “The K4DOS station has operated as Net Control in his absence and will continue to do so during my presence.” If you have an active amateur radio li- cense for your current location, McDer- mott urges you to check in regularly, “if for nothing more than to test your long- range communications capabilities, should the need ever arise.” Below are the frequencies and times of operations. AMERICAN FOREIGN SERVICE NETWORK EVERY SUNDAY 14.316 MHz USB +/- QRM 1500-1530 UTC 21.416 MHZ USB +/- QRM 1530-1600 UTC 28.416 MHZ USB +/- QRM 1600-1630 UTC On the intranet, visit RIMC’s SharePoint Site at: http://irm.m.state.sbu/sites/rimc/ Florida/default.aspx Briefs • Continued from page 44 We have heard that there are ambitious plans afoot for a significant increase of personnel in the FY 2011 budget — now, if we can just last that long!