“As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.” —John F. Kennedy.
For the first time and within the framework of the commemoration of the 200 years of bilateral relationship between Colombia and the United States, a special decoration was created to honor and thank nationals and foreigners, civilians and military personnel for their contributions to bilateral relations between Colombia and the United States.
The Embassy of Colombia to the United States organized different events where Colombian President Ivan Duque, Vicepresident and Minister of Foreign Affairs Marta Lucia Ramirez and Ambassador Juan Carlos Pinzon presented the decorations highlighting the work and dedication of each of the award recipients.
Between May and June 2022, the Residence of Colombian Ambassador, the Embassy of Colombia to the United States and the National Museum of American Diplomacy in DC were the selected spaces to give thanks to these american citizens that dedicated their service to improve relations between the 2 nations over the years.
The Awardees included ex Presidents George W. Bush and William Clinton, Hillary Rodahm Clinton, former Secretary of State, Ms. Adrienne Arsht founder of the Atlantic Council, Ms. Maureen Orth founder of Orth Foundation, T.H. Rob Portman from the Senate, T.H. Christopher John Dodd, Former Senator, Mr. William S. Cohen, Former Secretary of Defense, Mr. Carlos Gutierrez, Former United States Secretary of Commerce , Mr. Robert Zoellick, Former Deputy Secretary of State and US Trade Representative, Amb. John Negroponte, Former Deputy Secretary of State, Mr. Thomas McLarty, Former White House Chief of Staff, T.H. Ruben Gallego, US Representative, T.H. Ed Royce, Former US Representative, T.H. Illeana Ros-Lehtinen, Former US Representative, Amb. Anne Patterson, Former Ambassador of the US to Colombia, Amb. William Brownfield, Former Ambassador of the US to Colombia, Amb. Michael McKinley, Former Ambassador of the US to Colombia, Amb. Kevin Whitaker, Former Ambassador of the US to Colombia, Mrs. Paula Dobriansky, Former Under Secretary of State for Democracy and Global Affairs, Mr. Eric Farnsworth, Vice President and Washington Office Head Americas Society/Council of the Americas, Mrs. Irma Frank, Professor, senior associate dean for International Programs, and chair of the International Programs Committee at in the School of Medicine, Mr. Cristian Samper, President and CEO of Wildlife Conservation Society, Mr. Stephen Donehoo, Managing Parter – McLarty Associates, Mr, Nelson Arboleda, Director, Americas Office - U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, Amb. Thomas Shannon, former United States Deputy Secretary of State, Amb. Roger Noriega, former Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs, Mr. Arturo Valenzuela, former Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs, Mrs. Kim Breier, former Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs, Mr. Michael Shifter, former President Inter-American Dialogue, Mr. Daniel F. Runde, Senior Vicepresident Center of Strategic International Studies (CSIS), Mrs. Cynthia Arnson, Director of the Latin America program at the Woodrow Wilson International Center, Amb. Thomas Pickering, former Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs.
Colombia thanked their service, years of contribution, area of expertise, friendship, and knowledge that alss were recognized and highlighted in the presence of selected audiences and their families.