required to pay premiums for the Open Season Set on Life Insurance; $10,000 optional insurance after they Optional Coverage Cost Reduced The Civil Service Commision has announced an open season for the month of March 1970 for regular and optional life insurance with a reduction in premiums for employees and annuitants who carry the $10,000 optional life insurance. Premium rates for the $10,000 optional life insurance are based on the employee's age group, whereas the cost to the employee for regular insurance remains constant at 271⁄2¢ per $1,000 of insurance per biweekly pay period regardless of the employee's age. Effective with the pay period starting on April 5, 1970, the present three premium age groups for optional insurance will be changed to seven premium age groups with a reduction in premiums as follows: The amount of regular life insurance coverage approximates an employee's annual salary plus $2,000, with a minimum of $10,000 of insurance for those earning $8,000 or less. The maximum amount of regular insurance coverage is $45,000. The Commision's decision to reduce the rates followed a study which indicated that premiums for the optional insurance have largely wiped out the deficit created by benefits paid on account of employees who died during the first four months after the optional insurance program was enacted in 1966. Many of those employees were not required to pay preployees were not required to pay premiums during the first 4-month period. With regard to retirement: Annuitants who carried optional insurance at the time they were retired are not reach age 65, although at that age the $10,000 begins to reduce gradually until it reaches $2,500. An employee may keep his optional insurance after retirement if he carried it for at least 12 years before retirement or for, all service during which it was available to him. Therefore, an employee who originally declined the optional insurance and who elects it during the March open season may not be able to keep it after retirement if he retires before he has carried the optional insurance for at least 12 years. He would, however, be eligible to convert the optional insurance to a private policy without evidence of good health. All employees will be furnished complete information on the procedures to be followed in applying for life insurance during the March open season as soon as the Civil Service Commission has issued further directives. 35-39 40-44 45-49 55-59 $3.00 60 or over In view of the pending reduction in rates, employees who were considering cancelling their optional insurance to deter moving into a higher age-premium bracket are urged to reconsider. The increase previously scheduled for January 1970, affecting employees who reached age 35 or 55 in 1969, is postponed until April 5, 1970, at which time the new agepremium rates will apply. During the open season in March 1970, any eligible employee (but not an annuitant) who has waived his regular life insurance will be given an opportunity to cancel the waiver and obtain the regular life insurance without evidence that he is in good health. Similarly, any employee who has regular insurance but who declined to take the optional insurance will be given an opportunity to elect the optional insurance without evidence of good health. Eligible employees are automatically covered for regular life insurance unless they have specifically stated in writing that they do not want the insurance. The cost of the regular insurance is shared by the employee, who pays two-thirds, and the Government, which pays one-third of the premium. AMERICANS GIVE THANKS AT PILGRIMS' CHURCH ROTTERDAM-For the second consecutive year, the NetherlandsAmerica Institute, in cooperation with the City Government of Rotterdam, held a Thanksgiving Day Service at Delfshaven Church, where the Pilgrim fathers worshipped before leaving on the first leg of their journey to the New World. The Pilgrims traveled to Plymouth, England, in July 1620 aboard the England, in July 1620 aboard the Speedwell. At Plymouth, they changed ships and sailed on the Mayflower to Plymouth, Massachusetts. Seaborn P. Foster, U.S. Consul General in Rotterdam, is shown above reading the President's Thanksgiving Proclamation at the 1969 service, which was well attended by both American and Dutch citizens residing in Rotterdam. Honorable W. Thomassen, Mayor of Directly behind Mr. Foster is the Rotterdam, who, in speaking to the congregation, stressed Rotterdam's role in the close Dutch-American relationship. At the left is G. Engelberts, who represented the Netherlands-America Institute. The Rev. E. G. Veldhuizen, American-born Pastor of the Pilgrim Church of Dordrecht, conducted the service. SUCCEEDS GOV. SCRANTON Washburn Is Named To INTELSAT Post President Nixon on December 29 announced his intention to appoint Abbot M. Washburn as the new U.S. Representative to the Plenipotentiary Conference on Definitive Arrangements for the International Telecommunications Satellite Consortium, with the personal rank of Ambassador. Mr. Washburn, 54, would succeed former Governor William W. Scranton of Pennsylvania, who resigned on December 31. In accepting the resignation President Nixon warmly praised Mr. Scranton and expressed "my sincere gratitude for the leadership you have given to the United States' participation in this highly complex and important effort." The President added: "You have now guided us through three lengthy Preparatory Committee sessions; each involving many particularly complex issues, and we are now hopeful that an agreement can be reached when the Plenipotentiary Mitchell Leaves Service; Milton Mitchell, Senior Attorney in the Office of the Legal Adviser since 1964, was given a reception last month on the occasion of his retirement from the Department. Mr. Mitchell John R. Stevenson, the Legal Adviser, presented Mr. Mitchell with a Testimonial Scroll signed by his former associates and top Department officials. Mr. Scranton Mr. Washburn Conference reconvenes in mid-February. "Seventy countries are now partner members in INTELSAT. The prospect of an expanded INTELSAT system, linking together all nations via instantaneous satellite communications, is an exciting one. It carries enormous potential for better understanding among all peoples of the world. . .' Mr. Washburn has been serving as Deputy Director of the U.S. delega tion to the INTELSAT Conference since April 1969. A graduate of Harvard University in 1937, Mr. Washburn served-from 1937 until 1950-as Manager of the Department of Public Services for General Mills. He later served as Executive Vice Chairman of the Crusade for Freedom, subsequently known as Radio Free Europe (1950-51); on the campaign staff of former President Dwight D. Eisenhower (1951-52); on the White House staff (1953); and as Deputy Director of the U.S. Information Agency (1953-61). Mr. Washburn then became Vice President for International Operations of Carl Byoir Associates and in 1962 he formed his own public relations firm of Washburn, Stringer Associ ates. Mr. Mitchell was an Assistant Chief of Protocol from 1950 to 1964. Prior to that time he served as an attorney in the Bureau of Customs and as an Inter- Mossler Goes to Indonesia nal Revenue Agent with the U.S. Treasury Department. Mr. Washburn is married to the former Wanda Allender and they have three children. In alternate years from 1963, Mr. Mitchell has been an Assistant Professor of International Law at the George Washington University Law School. He will teach there evenings this year, beginning next month. His course, "Diplomatic and Consular Law," will be open to the Consular Corps and other members of the diplomatic community in Washington. John R. Mossler was sworn in last month as Director of the AID Mission to Indonesia. He has been serving as Deputy Director of AID's Viet-Nam Mission. Mr. Mossler, 46, joined the foreign aid program in 1956 as a program officer with the Mission to Korea of the International Cooperation Administration, AID's immediate predecessor agency. Phillips Is Chosen U.S. Consul General Richard I. Phillips, Acting Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs since January 1969, has been designated the new U.S. Consul General at Monterrey, Mexico. A career Foreign Service Officer, Mr. Phillips held various assignments in the Bureau of Public Affairs since 1962, including Director of the Office of News (1963-64) and Deputy Assistant Secretary (1964-68). Mr. Phillips Mr. Phillips joined the Foreign Service in 1946 and was named Information Officer at the U.S. Embassy in Montevideo. He later held such assignments as Deputy Public Affairs Officer and Economic Officer at Caracas; Deputy Principal Officer at Nairobi; Supervisory Information Specialist in the Department; Principal Officer at Guadalajara; and Public Affairs Adviser in the Bureau of Inter-American Affairs. The Consul General-designate received the Department's Commendable Service Award in 1960 and has served as a member of the U.S. Delegation to numerous international conferences. Department Personnel Influenza shots are again available to Department and USIA employees. The shots may be obtained at the New State Health Unit, Room 2313, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and at the FSI Health Unit, Room 105, on Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday from 12:30 p.m. to 2:30. At the USIA, 1776 Pennsylvania Avenue, they may be obtained in Room 1163 on Mondays from 12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m. A Department Notice pointed out that the response to earlier announcements regarding the availability of influenza shots had been "disappointing." "In view of the recent epidemics throughout Europe, smaller laboratory-confirmed outbreaks caused by A2 Hong Kong-like virus in Alaska and Puerto Rico, and the possibility of its spread in the United States, personnel are urged to avail themselves of this protection," the Notice said. The Ambassador-designate was President of Delaware State College at Dover from 1953 to 1960. He holds positions on the Board of Trustees of Cornell University and the Board of Corporation of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He received Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees from Cornell University. The educator also has a Ph.D. degree from the University of Pennsylvania and several honorary degrees. A noted athlete during his undergraduate days, he was twice selected. as All-America end. The Ambassador-designate is married to the former Laura Mitchell and they have two children, Lucy and Joseph. The President Praises Employees' Initiative CONGRATULATIONS-Astronaut Michael Collins is congratulated by Secretary Rogers after being sworn in as Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs in the presence of Mrs. Collins. The oath of office was administered by Emil Mosbacher, Jr., Chief of Protocol, at a ceremony held in the Department on Jan. 6. Strausz-Hupé Named Envoy to Two Nations President Nixon has expressed The resignation will be effective upon American Paper Institute appreciation to Federal employees "for their superior work and for constructive suggestion their improve operations." to A new record was set by the $195 million in benefits for employee ideas that saved manhours, conserved supplies, and reduced costs. in the last fiscal year, Mr. Nixon noted. "These outstanding results could not have been achieved without teamwork and extra effort by many people at many levels of our Federal organizations. I am delighted to say a hearty and very personal 'Thank You!' to everyone in Government for their contributions to this record." a date to be determined. The Ambassador - designate has served as Director of the Foreign Policy Research Institute at the University of Pennsylvania since 1952. He has also held positions as Professor of Political Science and as Special Lecturer at the university. Dr. Strausz-Hupé is Director of the Habib Given Personal Rank of Ambassador President Nixon on January 3 confirmed his decision of December 15 as he accorded the personal rank of Ambassador to Philip C. Habib during the tenure of his service as Acting Head of the U.S. Delegation at the Paris meetings on Viet-Nam. Dixon Donnelley, who was Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs from 1966 to early 1969, has been named Vice President for Public Affairs of the American Paper Institute (API). On leaving State, Mr. Donnelley became Special Assistant for Public Affairs to Secretary David M. Kennedy of the Treasury Department, a post he held until his recent appointment with API. Howard E. Houston, a former AID Mission Director in India, has been named Director of the AID Mission to Korea. Mr. Houston will also serve as Director for Economic Affairs of the U.S. Embassy in Korea. 5,250 Young Americans and Some Not So Young Take FS Exam Some 5,250 young Americans took the seven-hour written examination for the Foreign Service-for careers in the State Department or in the U.S. Information Agency-on December 6. The examination was held throughout the United States and its territories and in many U.S. diplomatic or consular posts abroad. In the photo above, 48 candidates in Saigon relax between tests as FSOS Edward Gnehm and Jan De Wilde collect the answer sheets. One candidate took the exam in Danang and another took it in Cam Ranh Bay. Eleven not-so-young Americans all Department and USIA officials took the FSO written examination in Washington three days later (see photo below) under the watchful eye of Mrs. Geraldine Carroll, the Proctor, and now have great admiration for the thousands of candidates. Shown are, left row, front to rear, John H. Stutesman, Jr., Deputy Director of Personnel for Recruitment; Stephen Comiskey, Deputy Examiner, Board of Examiners; Allen Fidel, Deputy Examiner, BEX; center, John H. Burns, Director General of the Foreign Service; David Sheppard, USIA; Howard Parsons, Deputy Examiner, BEX; right, Donald Albright, USIA; and Jan Nadelman, Deputy Examiner, BEX. Three other officers, not shown, who took the exam were John Bowling, Coordinator of Political Studies, FSI; Frederick Quinn, USIA; and Owen Roberts, Staff Director, Secretariat, Board of Examiners. They took the examination, Mr. Stutesman explained, because they felt it would dramatize their understanding of the examining process and provide a basis for determining changes that might be found advisable. "The scores," he added firmly, "will be the best kept secret since the Riddle of the Sphinx." Department, AID, USIA Establish The Department, AID and USIA have recently established new offices designated as Special Assistants for Welfare and Grievances. The new positions were created on a two-year trial basis following a recommendation of the Board of the Foreign Service at a meeting chaired by Under Secretary of State Elliot L. Richardson October 29. The Board acted upon an earlier suggestion of the American Foreign Service Association that such offices be established for each of the major foreign affairs agencies. (In his address to employees of the Department, AID, USIA and ACDA on January 14, Deputy Under Secretary William B. Macomber, Jr., said the Director of the new office "will be a senior, able and highly respected officer who will have wide authority to investigate and advise on personnel grievances and wrongs." The Special Assistant for Welfare and Grievances will enter on duty in the Department on February 2, Mr. Macomber added.) Officers named to the new positions in the Department, AID and USIA are Robert C. F. Gordon, FSO-2; State; D. Alan Strachan, FSR-1, AID, and William B. King, FSIO-1, USIA. A new Foreign Affairs Manual Circular describes the Special Assistant for Welfare and Grievances as "an impartial advisor to individual employees" at a central point in each agency where employees can bring "all their work-related problems or complaints." The new offices will assist employees in getting problems resolved and questions answered quickly and on an informal basis. In many cases this will avoid the need for formal appeals or grievance proceedings. tions where the system has failed or -Ensure that existing administra- -Act as an "energetic advocate" of the interests of an employee; if the facts warrant, when all reasonable means of securing redress have been exhausted, or when timeliness is essential, and in so doing, cut red tape to the maximum extent possible. -Propose remedies and recommend corrective action to operating offices, personnel directors, the Director General, the Deputy Under Secretary for Administration, or other officials, as appropriate or necessary. -Give a frank and honest opinion, however disappointing it may be to the employee. In the Department, the Special Estes Leaves Service, Takes Post with AFSA Assistant for Welfare and Grievances will report directly to the Deputy Under Secretary for Administration. In AID the new official will report directly to the Director of Personnel and Manpower, and in USIA to the Deputy Director. Other duties, outlined in the Foreign Affairs Manual Circular, include the responsibility to: -Provide information to employees on laws, regulations and procedures. -Follow-up and investigate situa NEWPORT, R.I.Ambassador He recently succeeded Edward P. At a ceremony held at the U.S. left, for his 35 years of distinguished service with the State Department at home and abroad. Admiral Colbert is the College President. Also shown above are Ambassador Estes' wife, Ruth; his daughter, Jane; and Ambassador Richard H. Davis, who replaced Ambassador Estes as State Department Adviser to the Naval War College. Ambassador Estes formerly was the U.S. envoy to Upper Volta. |