Description
Presidential Appointment of Ambassador Edward J. Perkins as a Member of the Advisory Committee for Trade Policy and Negotiations, signed by President George W. Bush and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. Document is dated September 20, 2007.
Black frame, red matte. Measures 26″ x 22″. Great Seal of the United States affixed to lower left corner of document. Light warping to document, no impact to text or signatures. This appointment was Perkins’ third 2-year assignment to the Advisory Committee for Trade and Policy, with all three appointments coming from President George W. Bush. The purpose of the Advisory Committee for Trade Policy is to provide the U.S. Trade Representative with overall policy advice on matters concerning United States trade agreements and operation of those agreements. Ambassador Perkins joined a distinguished list of 32 individuals, all serving a 2-year term.
Dr. Edward J. Perkins (1928-2020) served as U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, as well as Liberia, South Africa, and Australia throughout his 25-year foreign service career. In 1986 President Ronald Reagan appointed Perkins to serve as ambassador to South Africa in hopes of fending off a congressional override to his veto of economic sanctions against the country. It was a controversial decision amidst apartheid in South Africa, and many Black leaders urged Perkins to not take the role. Perkins accepted the position and served until 1989, one year before Nelson Mandela was released from prison. He was appointed U.N. Ambassador by George H.W. Bush in 1992, serving for one year.
