Director General Pearson to Present Secretary of State's 2005 Awards (SOSA) for Voluntary Service Overseas

Director General W Robert Pearson will present the 2005 Associates of the American Foreign Service Worldwide (AAFSW) Secretary of State’s Award for Voluntary Service Overseas (SOSA) to 6 geographic bureau winners at a special ceremony on Tuesday, December 6 at 11:00 a.m. in the Benjamin Franklin Diplomatic Reception Room.

The SOSA awards recognize U.S. government employees and family members at embassies and consulates who gave exceptional volunteer service to their communities, host country or expatriates, or rendered outstanding service in emergencies.

The award ceremony is open for press coverage. Members of the press who do not have a State Department building pass should arrive at the 23^rd Street entrance for clearance through security and access to the Benjamin Franklin Room.

Pre-set time for cameras: 9:30 a.m.
Final access time for all press: 10:15 a.m.

Media representatives may attend this award ceremony upon presentation of one of the following: (1) a U.S. Government-issued identification card (Department of State, White House, Congress, Department of Defense, or Foreign Press Center), (2) a media-issued photo identification card, or (3) a letter from their employer on letterhead verifying their employment as a journalist, accompanied by an official photo identification (driver’s license or passport).

Members of the press who are interested in attending the award ceremony should contact Brenda Greenberg at (202) 647-4282.