The Richard C. Holbrooke Award for Diplomacy

President Obama directed the Secretary of State to establish an annual award program honoring Richard C. Holbrooke to recognize distinguished Americans for meritorious contributions to diplomacy. The Secretary must submit nominee lists to the President 60 days before award presentations, from which up to five recipients will be selected.

Federal Register Open PDF 77 FR 75507

Impact dates

Date TBD
Nominee list due to President before award presentation

Key directives

Establish the Richard C. Holbrooke Award for Diplomacy annually
Take all necessary steps to create award program under State Department
Submit nominee list to President 60 days before presenting award
Select up to five individuals or groups from nominees
Coordinate nominations with other executive agencies as appropriate
Permit posthumous awards
Publish memorandum in Federal Register

Who is ordered

Secretary of State · Department of State

Timeline

Immediate

Establishment of award program authorized

Near term (90d)

—

Long term

Annual award presentations ongoing
Perpetual program under State Department auspices

Risks & tensions

60-day deadline is relative to unspecified award presentation dates, not signing date; actual cadence depends on when State Department schedules presentations