Distinguished U.S. Diplomat, Ambassador Terence Todman Passes Away
Distinguished U.S. Diplomat, Ambassador Terence Todman Passes Away
WASHINGTON, D.C.--Congressman Gregory W. Meeks (NY-05) released the following statement on the passing of Ambassador Terence Todman:
On Wednesday, August 13th, Ambassador Terence A. Todman passed away (1926-2014). Ambassador Todman’s distinguished career includes being the first African American to become the United States’ top envoy to a Spanish speaking nation, the Republic of Costa Rica. Ambassador Todman was also the first African American to serve as Ambassador to a major European country, Kingdom of Spain, as-well-as, the first to achieve the rank of Career Ambassador.
Ambassador Todman, a native of the Saint Thomas, Virgin Islands, and a graduate of the Inter-American University in Puerto Rico, Syracuse University, and a member of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, served as U.S. Ambassador to a total of six countries, including the Republic of Chad, Republic of Guinea, Republic of Costa Rica, Argentine Republic, and the Kingdom of Spain, and the Kingdom of Denmark . Under President Jimmy Carter, Ambassador Todman was appointed to the office of Assistant Secretary of State for Inter-American Affairs, the first African American to lead a Bureau within the Department of State. While serving in this position, Ambassador Todman became the first U.S. diplomat to travel to Cuba in over a decade.
“It was Ambassador Todman’s uncanny ability to connect with leaders and to communicate across racial and cultural divides that proved invaluable assets in the advancement of United States’ interests. Over the course of his career, Ambassador Todman’s efforts to normalize economic relations within the western hemisphere led to improved working conditions, greater rule of law, and the protection of the environment for millions of people across Central and South America, and the Caribbean. Ambassador Todman worked tirelessly with the members of the Organization of American States to improve America’s reputation and standing, and enhance our credibility in order to create lasting social and economic reform throughout the hemisphere.”
“I am extremely proud of my service with Ambassador Todman on the Board of the National Endowment of Democracy. He rose above the limits placed on most African Americans of his time. And through his sacrifice, our country’s greatest attribute, equality, was embodied abroad. The breadth of Ambassador Todman’s work represents no less than the finest our nation has to offer Africa, Europe, Latin America and the world. I extend my deepest condolences to his family and all the millions of lives he touched around the world.“