Van Hollen, Sullivan Announce Senate Passage of Bipartisan Resolution Recognizing U.S. Foreign Service Day

U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), co-founders of the bipartisan Senate Foreign Service Caucus, announced the Senate passage of their resolution marking May 1, 2026 as "Foreign Service Day." The bipartisan resolution recognizes the men and women who have served or are presently serving in the Foreign Service of the United States and honors the members of the Foreign Service who have given their lives in the line of duty. Foreign Service Day has been celebrated on the first Friday in May for generations. The U.S. Foreign Service, as it is organized today, was established through the Rogers Act of 1924, which consolidated and reorganized the existing Diplomatic and Consular Services into a single entity. For 102 years, the Foreign Service has led U.S. diplomatic efforts across the globe and is critical to securing U.S. foreign policy interests and assisting Americans abroad.

"Members of the Foreign Service work tirelessly to protect and promote America's interests - strengthening America's diplomatic relationships, safeguarding our national security, and providing vital assistance to U.S. citizens abroad - and we are deeply grateful for the sacrifice they and their families make. This bipartisan resolution recognizes the immense contributions and critical importance of their service to our nation - as well as the sacrifices many have made - and underscores why we must continue working to support our Foreign Service," said Senator Van Hollen, co-founder of the bipartisan Senate Foreign Service Caucus.

"For over 100 years, the United States Foreign Service has served an indispensable role in facilitating American diplomacy, strengthening national security, and supporting American citizens in all corners of the globe," said Senator Sullivan, a co-founder of the bipartisan Senate Foreign Service Caucus. "I'm glad to join my colleague, Senator Van Hollen, once again in recognizing the service of our diplomatic corps-and the service and sacrifice of their families, and to reiterate our gratitude and support for all they do for our country."

"Each year on the first Friday in May, we honor our Foreign Service members who died doing this work - and those still doing it- in embassies, consulates, and conflict zones. The sacrifice doesn't look like what most Americans picture. These are America's first responders abroad. They run toward instability. Hardship and risk are the job. Foreign Service Day is when we say that plainly: We see this service. We know the cost. And we thank you," said John Dinkelman, President, American Foreign Service Association (AFSA).

The Foreign Service is comprised of tens of thousands of personnel who serve at hundreds of embassies and consulates overseas.

In 2017, Senators Van Hollen and Sullivan formed the Foreign Service Caucus to provide a bipartisan platform for addressing the challenges facing those who serve in the U.S. Foreign Service around the world and to develop policy solutions to support the U.S. diplomatic mission abroad. As part of their leadership of this Caucus, the Senators worked to pass their Foreign Service Families Act, which became law through the Fiscal Year 2022 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The Senators' legislation ensures that the Foreign Service is able to attract and retain a world-class diplomatic corps by providing expanded career options and support to eligible family members - similar to those provided to military families.