AMERICAN CITIZENS ABROAD (ACA)

http://www.aca.ch/

A non-profit association dedicated to serving and defending the interests of US citizens world-wide.

News from ACA--1 December 1997--issue 31

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RECTIFICATION concerning CITIZENSHIP

The State Department's Bureau of Consular Affairs has clarified the statement concerning citizenship transmission by two American parents living abroad: for a child born to American Citizen parents to be a US citizen at birth, at least one parent must have resided at some time in the United States prior to the birth of the child. BUT... "residence" does not necessarily mean physical presence in the US. "Residence" can be attained, for example, by living in the household of an American Government official or member of the military stationed abroad. The Bureau of Consular Affairs web pages can be found at http://www.ins.usdoj.gov/faq/index.html

ACA INVITES NOMINATIONS FOR THE 1998 THOMAS JEFFERSON AWARD

American Citizens Abroad (ACA) is now accepting nominations for its fifth annual Thomas Jefferson Award,. which acknowledges outstanding service to American citizens overseas by a US State Department employee. ACA launched the Thomas Jefferson Award in 1994 to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the birth of Thomas Jefferson, America's first Secretary of State, who himself lived outside the new republic for many years in order to promote its interests. The positive response and impressive nominations submitted for the awards in previous years indicate the importance and appreciation of the work of State Department employees on behalf of US citizens abroad. Previous winners in Yaounde, Italy, Uruguay, Israel, the Philippines and elsewhere have, through their commitment, creativity and enthusiasm served, inspired and united "their" American communities.
Nominations for this year's award should include:

one or more letters of recommendation. The letters should explain why the candidate should be chosen for the award, citing anecdotes and examples of service to the local American community.
a curriculum vitae (bio-sketch)
a recent photograph of the candidate -- if possible, showing him or her among members of the local American community which he or she is serving or has served.
Those submitting nominations should also provide their own name, organization and phone/fax/email numbers.

The deadline for submission of nominations for this year's Thomas Jefferson Award is 15 March 1998. The winner will be announced on 13 April 1998, Jefferson's birthday. Runner(s)-up to the award will also be publicly recognized. Nominations should be sent to:

     Thomas Jefferson Award Committee 
     American Citizens Abroad, 
  (OLD ADDRESS, DO NOT USE)
     Case postale 321 
     CH-1211 Geneva 12 
     Switzerland

For further information contact ACA at: tel./fax +41 (0)22 3476847 (OLD NUMBER) or email: acage@aca.ch

HELP BRIGHTEN THE DAY

...of a hospitalized child by contacting Polar Express. Spread the "spirit of the season" on the web by simply sharing a holiday story, tradition, or wish on the campaign message board. For every 25 messages, Houghton Mifflin will donate a copy of the book "Polar Express" or another book, to a children's hospital. The goal is 100,000 messages by end-December, so please help by sending one through their web page.

TRAVEL WARNING

The US State Department issued the following statement on 19 Nov 1997: "In light of recent events, US citizens traveling or residing abroad are advised to exercise greater than usual caution." The notice, which expires on 18 December is a general warning, but the US government cannot discount random acts of possible violence in reaction to recent happenings, in Egypt, Israel, and elsewhere.

American Citizens Abroad's biweekly News Update network offers news and views relevant to Americans living abroad. Essential to the success of such a network is feedback and input from recipients. This News Update is, like ACA itself, of, by and for Americans abroad. ACA is staffed entirely through the efforts of volunteers, with its primary income source being modest membership fees and donations from concerned individuals. The News Update can be maintained in the long-term only if it justifies itself in terms of membership and donation revenue for the organization. While ACA makes every effort to be accurate in the information it transmits, such information is not to be considered a substitute for specific and qualified professional advice.

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