Old State Capitol State Historic Site to host Portraits of American Diplomacy

The America 250 event features former U.S. diplomats

SPRINGFIELD - The Illinois Department of Natural Resources and the World Affairs Council of Central Illinois will host "Portraits of American Diplomacy," a special America 250 program, on Oct. 23 at the Old State Capitol State Historic Site in Springfield.

The free public program will include a reception, an exhibit featuring 21 panels, and a discussion with former U.S. diplomats. The reception and exhibit will open at 5 p.m., followed by the program at 6 p.m. in the historic House of Representatives chamber.

The exhibit will examine the role of American diplomacy during the past 250 years, beginning with Benjamin Franklin and continuing through the American Revolution, two world wars, the Cold War and into the 21st century.

Featured speaker Tom Selinger of the Association for Diplomatic Studies and Training will share stories of Illinois diplomats. Selinger served 27 years in the U.S. Foreign Service, with overseas assignments in Kyrgyzstan, Denmark, Croatia, Albania, and Trinidad and Tobago. His work included advancing U.S. security interests, managing Arctic cooperation, supporting war crimes investigations and assisting American citizens abroad.

The panel discussion will feature former NATO senior Foreign Service officer Gordon Duguid and Kathy Johnson, former U.S. diplomat who served on four continents. Jeff Trimble, former journalist with U.S. News & World Report, will moderate the discussion.