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Assistant Secretary of State for Consular Affairs

Creation of this Position

Title: Assistant Secretary of State for Consular Affairs
Name: Scott McLeod
Non-career appointee
Appointment: [Mar 3, 1953]
Termination of Appointment: Mar 9, 1957
Note: Designated Administrator of the Bureau of Inspection, Security, and Consular Affairs, Mar 1-Dec 30, 1954.

Title: Assistant Secretary of State for Consular Affairs
Name: Roderic L. O'Connor
Non-career appointee
Appointment: [May 28, 1957]
Termination of Appointment: Dec 29, 1958

Title: Assistant Secretary of State for Consular Affairs
Name: John W. Hanes, Jr.
Non-career appointee
Appointment: [Jan 1, 1959]
Termination of Appointment: Oct 4, 1962

Title: Assistant Secretary of State for Consular Affairs
Name: Abba P. Schwartz
State of Residency: Maryland
Non-career appointee
Appointment: Sep 14, 1962
Entry on Duty: Oct 5, 1962
Termination of Appointment: Mar 6, 1966

Title: Assistant Secretary of State for Consular Affairs
Name: Barbara M. Watson
State of Residency: New York
Non-career appointee
Appointment: Jul 31, 1968
Entry on Duty: Aug 12, 1968
Termination of Appointment: Dec 31, 1974

Title: Assistant Secretary of State for Consular Affairs
Name: Leonard F. Walentynowicz
State of Residency: New York
Non-career appointee
Appointment: Dec 31, 1974
Entry on Duty: Jan 2, 1975
Termination of Appointment: Mar 7, 1977
Note: An earlier nomination of Mar 26, 1974, was not acted upon by the Senate.

Title: Assistant Secretary of State for Consular Affairs
Name: Barbara M. Watson
State of Residency: New York
Non-career appointee
Appointment: Apr 7, 1977
Entry on Duty: Apr 13, 1977
Termination of Appointment: Aug 17, 1977
Note: Originally commissioned as Administrator of the Bureau of Security and Consular Affairs; title changed to Assistant Secretary of State for Consular Affairs on Aug 17, 1977.

Title: Assistant Secretary of State for Consular Affairs
Name: Diego C. Asencio
State of Residency: New Jersey
Foreign Service officer
Appointment: Aug 27, 1980
Entry on Duty: Aug 29, 1980
Termination of Appointment: Nov 21, 1983

Title: Assistant Secretary of State for Consular Affairs
Name: Joan M. Clark
State of Residency: New York
Foreign Service officer
Appointment: Nov 18, 1983
Entry on Duty: Dec 22, 1983
Termination of Appointment: Oct 18, 1989

Title: Assistant Secretary of State for Consular Affairs
Name: Elizabeth M. Tamposi
State of Residency: New Hampshire
Non-career appointee
Appointment: Oct 10, 1989
Entry on Duty: Oct 18, 1989
Termination of Appointment: Nov 10, 1992

Title: Assistant Secretary of State for Consular Affairs
Name: Mary A. Ryan
State of Residency: Texas
Non-career appointee
Appointment: May 12, 1993
Entry on Duty: May 12, 1993
Termination of Appointment:

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Creation of Position: The Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952 (Jun 27, 1952; P.L. 82-414; 66 Stat. 174) established within the Department of State a Bureau of Security and Consular Affairs, headed by an Administrator with rank equal to that of an Assistant Secretary. From Mar 1 to Dec 30, 1954, the Bureau was renamed "Inspection, Security, and Consular Affairs". From 1953 to 1962, the Secretary of State designated incumbents to this position. The Migration and Refugee Assistance Act of 1962 (Jun 28, 1962; P.L. 87-510; 76 Stat. 123) made the Administrator a Presidential appointee subject to the advice and consent of the Senate. In 1962, the Department transferred the security function to the Deputy Under Secretary for Administration, but the title remained unchanged until 1977, when the Foreign Relations Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1978 (Aug 17, 1977; P.L. 95-105; 91 Stat. 847) changed the Administrator's title to "Assistant Secretary of State for Consular Affairs." This title has been given in full in all subsequent commissions to this office.

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