World Food Prize Ambassador Quinn
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THE ARCHIVE OF AMBASSADOR KENNETH M. QUINN
FROM THE MISSISSIPPI TO THE MEKONG
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Confronting the Secretary of State: The Group of 46

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Having for the first time in his career actually been assigned to a job in the State Department itself, Amb. Quinn recalls how he became aware of a shared frustration on the part of other young Foreign Service Officers—the declining commitment to excellence as the standard for promotions and assignments. Taking the lead, he gathers at first a small group of officers over lunch in the cafeteria where they begin to enumerate their concerns. This lead to the group expanding to 46 officers, who eventually all signed a petition, which Amb. Quinn delivers to the Secretary of State’s office requesting an emergency meeting with Cyrus Vance. Amb. Quinn joined by four other young FSOs, takes the lead in confronting the Secretary with an uncertain outcome.

© 2024 World Food Prize Ambassador Quinn. All rights reserved.