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WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Rep. William Delahunt, D-Mass., will be one of two congressmen serving as delegates in the 62nd United Nations General Assembly, which begins business next week in New York City.
Delahunt's appointment as the Democratic representative to the U.N., along with the appointment of Republican U.S. Rep. Ted Poe of Texas, was announced by the White House yesterday.
The one-year appointment will not require the six-term congressman, whose district includes the Cape and Islands, to leave his House seat. But it does mean he will participate in sessions of the General Assembly, as well as working-level meetings of the U.N. Secretariat.
"This comes at a propitious moment. There is a great need, and there must be an increased role for the U.N. in the reconstruction and reconciliation of Iraq," said Delahunt, long an advocate of increased diplomatic efforts to end the war in Iraq.
The U.S. Congressional Delegation to the U.N. is a two-member, bipartisan delegation that rotates between the Senate and the House. The General Assembly's session opens in late September and runs until April.
Some political observers say the appointment is a clear indication of respect from Delahunt's Democratic colleagues and his rising status in Congress. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., nominated him for the U.N. post.
Delahunt said last night the appointment is in no way a stepping stone to an ambassadorship or similar high-profile appointment should the Democrats regain control of the White House next year. "I'm looking forward to a long career in the U.S. Congress, where I feel I can have some positive impact," he said.
Delahunt said his job will be to represent Congress at the U.N., and his priority will be to encourage a greater U.N. role in reconstruction and reconciliation in Iraq. He would like to see the U.S. government fully fund U.N. peacekeeping efforts, citing a previous report from the Government Accountability Office that found such efforts have saved taxpayers billions of dollars by avoiding the deployment of U.S. troops. But he also plans to emphasize U.S. and international support for refugees, particularly those who have fled Iraq, and promoting the use of renewable energy.
Phil Johnston, a former chairman of the Massachusetts Democratic Party who runs a consulting firm in Boston and Washington, said Delahunt's appointment is an honor for the congressman and the people of Massachusetts.
"Bill has always had a deep interest in foreign policy and he's played a strong leadership role as chairman of a subcommittee as well as on issues concerning Latin America," Johnston said. "This is a sign of respect the Democrats have for him, and that could translate into benefits for the people in his district."
U.S. Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., said Delahunt's background makes him a natural for the appointment. "Bill has made a real mark on foreign policy with his hands-on approach and his willingness to dig into the issues and put himself on the line," Kerry said."
Delahunt is succeeding U.S. Sen. Patrick Leahy of Vermont, who served as the Democrats' U.N. delegate last year.
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