Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom
Encyclopedia
The Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom is the ambassador-at-large
who heads the Office of International Religious Freedom in the United States Department of State
.
The position was created by the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998
. The first ambassador-at-large was Bob Seiple who served from 1999 to 2001. He was succeeded by John Hanford
who served from May 2002 until January 2009.
On June 15, 2010 President Barack Obama
nominated Doctor Suzan Johnson Cook
as his Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom. However, her nomination was put on hold in the Senate and therefore expired without a vote at the end of the 111th session of Congress on January 3, 2011.
She was renominated and confirmed on April 14, 2011. She was sworn in and began work on May 16, 2011.
Ambassador-at-large
An ambassador-at-large is a Diplomat of the highest rank or a Minister who is accredited to represent his country internationally.Unlike an ambassador-in-residence who is usually limited to a country and/or embassy, the ambassador-at-large is entrusted to operate in several usually neighboring...
who heads the Office of International Religious Freedom in the United States Department of State
United States Department of State
The United States Department of State , is the United States federal executive department responsible for international relations of the United States, equivalent to the foreign ministries of other countries...
.
The position was created by the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998
International Religious Freedom Act of 1998
The International Religious Freedom Act of 1998 was passed to promote religious freedom as a foreign policy of the United States, and to advocate on the behalf of the individuals viewed as persecuted in foreign countries on the account of religion...
. The first ambassador-at-large was Bob Seiple who served from 1999 to 2001. He was succeeded by John Hanford
John Hanford
John Van Hanford III was United States Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom from 2002 to 2009. As ambassador, Hanford led the Office of International Religious Freedom at the United States Department of State....
who served from May 2002 until January 2009.
On June 15, 2010 President Barack Obama
Barack Obama
Barack Hussein Obama II is the 44th and current President of the United States. He is the first African American to hold the office. Obama previously served as a United States Senator from Illinois, from January 2005 until he resigned following his victory in the 2008 presidential election.Born in...
nominated Doctor Suzan Johnson Cook
Suzan Johnson Cook
Dr. Suzan Denise Johnson Cook is the United States Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom, pastor, author and presidential advisor.-Biography:...
as his Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom. However, her nomination was put on hold in the Senate and therefore expired without a vote at the end of the 111th session of Congress on January 3, 2011.
She was renominated and confirmed on April 14, 2011. She was sworn in and began work on May 16, 2011.