The Foreign Service Journal, December 2022

32 DECEMBER 2022 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL – FOREIGN SERVICE CHAMPIONS AWARD – 2022 AFSAAWARD WINNERS FOCUS AFSA AWARDS: HONORING EXCELLENCE AND CONSTRUCTIVE DISSENT Launched this year, the Foreign Service Champions Award recognizes the accomplishments and achievements of a member of Congress, a member of the military, or another influential non-career member of the foreign affairs commu- nity who has made meaningful contributions to diplomacy and the Foreign Service, whether individually or as a group. AFSA is pleased to recognize two public servants who have championed the Foreign Service’s critical role in U.S. foreign policy and have had an enduring impact on the institution of the U.S. Foreign Service and the diplomatic profession. The inaugural recipients of this award are Senator Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska) and Congressman Joaquin Castro (D-Texas). Senator Dan Sullivan S enator Dan Sullivan says his appreciation for the Foreign Service developed when he was assistant secretary of State for economic, energy, and business affairs under George W. Bush and saw first- hand the caliber and profession- alism of U.S. State Department personnel. “I also saw the hardships they face and the flexibility required,” Sen. Sullivan says, “which I could personally relate to as a Marine who has been deployed.” When elected to the Senate as Alaska’s eighth senator in 2015, he noticed that while many caucuses were meeting on the Hill to Senator Dan Sullivan Representative Joaquin Castro Award winner profiles compiled by Associate Editor Julia Wohlers. All images are courtesy of the award winners, unless otherwise specified.