On Wednesday, November 20, at 12:00 p.m. the Department of State will honor Robert L. Hopkins as its next Hero of U.S. Diplomacy.

Bob is being recognized as a Hero of U.S. Diplomacy for leading rescue missions at several foreign consulates in New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina, as well as for his invaluable role during multiple large-scale crises within the states covered by the Office of Foreign Mission’s Houston Office. During this event, Bob will discuss his actions as a part the Department’s thirteen-person “State South” Command Center in Baton Rouge, where he helped manage international aspects of disaster relief after the hurricane. As part of the Department of State-wide domestic emergency response, he assisted foreign consular officers in identifying missing, injured and deceased foreigners. Bob also coordinated multiple excursions into New Orleans and Mississippi and provided disaster condition updates and daily briefings to foreign delegations. He will also share his unique perspective to conducting diplomacy with foreign delegations while serving as a civil servant based in Houston, Texas.

The event will feature opening remarks by Ambassador Stephen J. Akard, Director of the Office of Foreign Missions, followed by a moderated conversation between Heroes of U.S. Diplomacy honoree Robert “Bob” Hopkins and Ambassador Julieta Valls Noyes, Deputy Director of the Foreign Service Institute.

The “Heroes of U.S. Diplomacy” initiative highlights the stories of modern-day “Heroes Among Us,” alongside heroic figures from our Department’s rich history. These individuals displayed sound policy judgment, as well as intellectual, moral and/or physical courage while advancing the Department of State’s mission and elevating U.S. diplomacy. For questions about the initiative, direct your inquiries to HeroesofDiplomacy@state.gov or visit www.state.gov/HeroesofUSDiplomacy.

This event will take place in the George C. Marshall Center’s William J. Burns Auditorium on Wednesday, November 20 from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. This event is open to the press and entry will be via the 21st street entrance. For more information, please contact the State Department Office of Press Relations at 202-647-2492.

Pre-set time for cameras is 11:30 a.m. from the 21st Street entrance. Final access time for writers and stills is 11:45 a.m. from the 21st Street entrance. Media representatives may attend this event upon presentation of one of the following: (1) a U.S. Government-issued photo media credential (e.g., Department of State, White House, Congress, Department of Defense or Foreign Press Center), or (2) an official photo identification card issued by their news organization, or (3) a letter from their employer on official letterhead verifying their current employment as a journalist.

Additionally, they must present an official government photo identification card (i.e., U.S. driver’s license or passport).