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This is an archived USAID document retained on this web site as a matter of public record.
Statement from the Family of Laurence Foley
THE FAMILY OF LAURENCE FOLEY
STATEMENT
WASHINGTON, DC 20523
http://www.usaid.gov
(202) 494-9592FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 2, 2002Contact: Joanne Giordano
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Foley family would like to express its deepest appreciation for the prayers and expressions of support that have poured in from all over the world following the tragic death of American Diplomat Laurence Foley, who was gunned down in front of his home October 28th in Amman, Jordan.
The day before his death, Larry had received an award at work; he’d talked with friends about Thanksgiving plans; he’d told his wife how very much he loved her, their family and their life in the Foreign Service. In short, he was happy.
Personal contact from His Majesty King Abdullah II and Her Majesty Queen Rania Al Abdullah, and Queen Noor of Jordan, President Bush, Secretary of State Powell, Ambassador Burns and other government leaders testify to the impact of Larry Foley’s 37 years of dedicated service to his country and to humanity.
“We probably are a typical Foreign Service family,” according to his wife, Virginia. “Larry and I have loved serving on four continents, learning about culture, making friends, representing the United States the best way we could, and feeling like what we did was performing a service. Sometimes our kids loved it more than at other times, but I think that if you asked them, none of them regrets it. Who they are has been colored by their view of the world. My comfort comes from the expressions of love from so many people all over the world whose lives Larry has touched, and having shared 34 years with someone I love and respected – doing what we do best.”
Expressions from those who knew Larry Foley speak volumes regarding the impact of his dedicated service:
- “Larry was absolutely the wrong target if the point was to protest American imperialism,” said Bruce Wharton, head of the former United States Information Service. “He was actively working against that very thing, trying to help people in places like Jordan, Zimbabwe, and Bolivia develop their own strengths.”
- The nine-year old daughter of Ziad Abd-Rabu (USAID colleague in Jordan), in a letter written in Arabic said, “Larry woke up in the morning and got dressed and opened the car door and put the key in the switch and suddenly someone fired a shot at him and he died. No one knows who did it. Everyone is depressed. Larry used to help the poor. One day, he helped his gardener as well. Larry is a good-hearted man. When my father learned that he died, he was very sad. I am writing this, and I am very sad as well.”
- “Maybe things were getting so grim in heaven, with all the new arrivals from September 11th, the snipers’ victims and the Moscow victims, they needed someone to cheer them up,” said Judy Nolan, the wife of Stephen J. Nolan U.S. Consul General, Cape Town, South Africa. “They looked down and said who could do this job best.”
This is our tribute to our Larry Foley whom we love. We thank all of our friends around the world for the support and love they have shared with us this day, as they do everyday. We ask that all who read this today celebrate with us the life of a truly incredible person who loved life, his family and friends above all.
- MSNBC Article - Spirit of America
- Statement from the Family of Laurence Foley
- Statement by Andrew S. Natsios on the Death of Laurence "Larry" Foley
- Remembering Laurence Foley - U.S. Embassy-Amman Site
- Biography of Laurence M. Foley, Sr.
- Video of Statement by USAID Administrator Andrew S. Natsios at the U.S. Department of State
- Statement by Ambassador Edward W. Gnehm on the Life of Laurence Foley
- Overview of USAID programs in Jordan
- USAID/Jordan Mission web site
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Last Updated on: December 30, 2008 |
