Whereas the Foreign Service of the United States (referred to in this preamble as the Foreign Service ) was established through the enactment of the Act entitled An Act for the reorganization and improvement of the Foreign Service of the United States, and for other purposes. , approved May 24, 1924 (43 Stat. 140, chapter 182) (commonly known as the Rogers Act of 1924 ), and is now celebrating its 99th anniversary; Whereas the Rogers Act of 1924 established a career organization based on competitive examination and merit promotion; Whereas, in 2022, nearly 16,000 men and women of the Foreign Service were serving at home and abroad; Whereas Foreign Service personnel are supported by more than 60,000 locally engaged staff in nearly 300 embassies and consulates, who provide unique expertise and crucial links to host countries; Whereas Foreign Service personnel comprise employees from the Department of State, the United States Agency for International Development, the Foreign Commercial Service, the Foreign Agricultural Service, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, and the United States Agency for Global Media; Whereas the diplomatic, consular, communications, trade, development, security, public diplomacy, and numerous other functions that Foreign Service personnel perform constitute the first and most cost-effective instrument of the United States to protect and promote United States interests abroad; Whereas the men and women of the Foreign Service and their families are increasingly exposed to risks and danger, even in times of peace, and many have died in the service of the United States; Whereas employees of the Foreign Service work daily— (1) to ensure the national security of the United States; (2) to provide assistance to United States citizens overseas; (3) to preserve peace, freedom, and economic prosperity around the world; (4) to promote the ideals and values of the United States, human rights, freedom, equal opportunities for women and girls, rule of law, and democracy