Harry K. Thomas Jr. facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Harry Thomas
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| United States Ambassador to Zimbabwe | |
| In office February 25, 2016 – March 25, 2018 |
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| President | Barack Obama Donald Trump |
| Preceded by | David Wharton |
| Succeeded by | Brian A. Nichols |
| United States Ambassador to the Philippines | |
| In office April 27, 2010 – October 16, 2013 |
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| President | Barack Obama |
| Preceded by | Kristie Kenney |
| Succeeded by | Philip S. Goldberg |
| 27th Director General of the Foreign Service | |
| In office September 21, 2007 – June 24, 2009 |
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| President | George W. Bush |
| Preceded by | George McDade Staples |
| Succeeded by | Nancy Jo Powell |
| 21st Executive Secretary to the Department of State | |
| In office July 25, 2005 – July 27, 2007 |
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| President | George W. Bush |
| Preceded by | Karl W. Hofmann |
| Succeeded by | Daniel Bennett Smith |
| United States Ambassador to Bangladesh | |
| In office August 14, 2003 – July 2, 2005 |
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| President | George W. Bush |
| Preceded by | Mary Ann Peters |
| Succeeded by | Patricia A. Butenis |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Harry Keels Thomas Jr.
June 3, 1956 New York City, New York, U.S. |
| Spouses | Ericka Ovette Mithi Aquino |
| Children | Casey Merie |
| Alma mater | College of the Holy Cross (BA) Columbia University (MS) |
Harry Keels Thomas Jr. (born June 3, 1956) is an American diplomat. A diplomat is someone who represents their country in other nations. Harry Thomas Jr. served as the U.S. Ambassador to Bangladesh, the Philippines, and Zimbabwe. An ambassador is the highest-ranking diplomat sent by one country to another.
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Harry Thomas Jr.'s Education
Harry Thomas Jr. went to the College of the Holy Cross for his first degree. Later, he earned a Master's of Science degree in Urban Planning from Columbia University. He also received an honorary doctorate from Loyola University Maryland. This means the university recognized his achievements with a special degree. He even gave the main speech at their graduation ceremony in May 2010.
Harry Thomas Jr.'s Career as a Diplomat
Harry Thomas Jr. began his career in the Foreign Service in 1984. The Foreign Service is a branch of the U.S. government that works with other countries. His early jobs included working at U.S. embassies in different parts of the world. An embassy is like an office for a country's diplomats in another nation.
- He worked in New Delhi, India.
- He also served in Harare, Zimbabwe.
- Another early posting was in Kaduna, Nigeria.
- He also worked in Lima, Peru.
Thomas held several important roles in the United States Department of State. This is the part of the U.S. government that handles foreign policy. He was the Executive Secretary of the United States Department of State. He also served as the Director General of the U.S. Foreign Service. This role means he was in charge of all U.S. diplomats. He was also the Director of the State Department Operations Center. For a time, he was a special assistant to U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.
Ambassador to Bangladesh
Harry Thomas Jr. served as the United States Ambassador to Bangladesh from 2003 to 2005.
Ambassador to the Philippines
After serving as Director General of the U.S. Foreign Service from 2007 to 2009, President Barack Obama chose Harry Thomas Jr. to be the Ambassador to the Philippines. This happened on November 19, 2009. He was the first African American to hold this important position. The United States Senate approved his nomination on March 19, 2010. He officially started his role on April 27, 2010, when he presented his credentials to the Philippine president, Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.
Ambassador to Zimbabwe
Later, Harry Thomas Jr. was chosen to be the United States Ambassador to Zimbabwe. He was approved for this role on October 22, 2015. He officially started on December 8, 2015. He finished his service in Zimbabwe on March 25, 2018, and planned to retire from the Foreign Service.
Languages Harry Thomas Jr. Speaks
Harry Thomas Jr. is a talented linguist. He speaks several languages, which is very helpful for a diplomat.
- English
- Spanish
- Hindi
- Tagalog (a language spoken in the Philippines)
- Bengali (a language spoken in Bangladesh)
Awards and Honours
Harry Thomas Jr. has received special recognition for his work.
Foreign Honours
Philippines: He received the Grand Cross (Datu) of the Order of Sikatuna (GrCS) on October 14, 2013. This is a very high honor given by the government of the Philippines.
