The Foreign Service Journal, September 2017

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | SEPTEMBER 2017 65 AFSA NEWS Promoting human rights overseas is some of the most important and vital work we can do in the State Department. If we are to continue to be an example to the world, we must consistently represent universal values, including freedom of speech, freedom of religion and freedom of association. —René Gutel Each of this year’s dissent recipients shows how the Foreign Service is taking ownership of the organiza- tion, making hard choices and refining processes to strengthen the institution. EXEMPLARY PERFORMANCEAWARDS Dr. Sushma Palmer next presented the first awards for exemplary performance, the Mark Palmer Award for the Advancement of Democracy. After recognizing runner-up Maria Elena Barrón, a USAID Foreign Service officer, for her work promoting a demo- cratic transition in Nepal, Dr. Palmer honored Ambassador Tulinabo Salama Mushingi with the 2017 Palmer Award for his efforts to prevent conflict during an attempted coup d’état in Burkina Faso. Dr. Palmer presented the second 2017 Palmer award to René Gutel, the human rights officer at U.S. Embassy Beijing. Against all odds, Ms. Gutel made significant head- way in promoting human rights and making common cause with other democra- cies in the diplomatic com- munity in China. Amb. Stephenson presented the Award for Achievement and Contribu- tions to the Association to Foreign Commercial Service retiree John S. Wood, leader of the energetic and engaged Foreign Service retiree group in Austin, Texas, for his effec- tiveness in telling the story of the Foreign Service to our fellow Americans. Amb. Harrop then At a champagne reception after the June 20 awards ceremony, friends, family and colleagues celebrate the achievements of the 16 AFSA award winners. AFSA/TOYASARNOJORDAN returned to the podium to present the Nelson B. Dela- van Award for Exemplary Per- formance by an Office Manage- ment Specialist to Diane Corbin, who had just returned from an immensely challenging 29-month tour in South Sudan. Judith Brown of the U.S. embassy in Yaoundé was the runner-up. Jon Clements, CEO of Clements Worldwide, presented the M. Juanita Guess Award for Exemplary Performance by a Commu- nity Liaison Officer to Aubrey Dowd of U.S. Embassy Dhaka. Ms. Dowd generously acknowledged her CLO colleagues in Dhaka and expressed her appreciation to AFSA for acknowledging the important work CLOs do within the embassy com- munity. Michael P. Murphy of U.S. Embassy Algiers was the runner-up. The final award of the afternoon was the Avis Bohlen Award for Exemplary Performance by an Eligible Family Member. On behalf of the Bohlen family, Mette Beecroft presented the award to Henry Throop of U.S. Consulate Mumbai. A NASA scientist, Dr. Throop has volunteered thousands of hours at multi- ple posts to engage local chil- dren in science, technology, engineering and mathemat- ics (STEM) subjects, includ- ing night-time astronomy observations and countless school appearances. A celebratory champagne reception in the depart- ment’s Exhibit Hall followed the ceremony, a fitting way to conclude an event whose purpose is to highlight and reward those who carry out their duties in the finest tra- dition of the Foreign Service. Please visit www.afsa. org/video to watch the full ceremony, as well as selected highlights. Photos of the recipients, ceremony and reception are available at http://bit.ly/2t1xBO4. n