Battle previously served as United States Ambassador to the African Union
Battle has been a community leader in Atlanta for decades
Washington, D.C. — Yesterday, U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff introduced Michael Battle in his confirmation hearing to serve as United States Ambassador to Tanzania.
Ambassador Battle, who lives in Atlanta, Georgia, previously served as U.S. Ambassador to the African Union and as the U.S. Representative to the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa.
“It is an honor Mr. Chairman and Ranking Member to be here alongside Ambassador Battle as he prepares for this pivotal assignment in Tanzania,” Sen. Ossoff said. “We need his skilled representation in East Africa. I know he will do this job with honor and effectively. I thank the Committee for consideration of his nomination and humbly urge his swift confirmation.”
Battle has held several leadership roles in Atlanta, including as President of the Interdenominational Theological Center from 2003-2009, Chair of The Robert W. Woodruff Library at the AUC, and as Chair of former Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin’s Advisory Committee for Sustainable Atlanta.
Battle served for 20 years as a Chaplain in the U.S. Army Reserve, retiring with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in 1997. Battle was joined at the hearing by his wife, Linda Ann Battle.
Click here to watch Sen. Ossoff’s remarks:
Please find a transcript of Sen. Ossoff’s remarks below:
SEN. OSSOFF: “Thank you, Mr. Chairman, Ranking Member Rounds. It’s an honor to join you today to introduce and recommend for confirmation and outstanding diplomat, whom I’m proud to call a constituent from my hometown of Atlanta, Georgia, Ambassador Michael Battle. Ambassador Battle has led an extraordinary career, committed to education and public service.
“He served for 20 years as a chaplain in the United States Army Reserve, retiring with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in 1997. During the Obama Administration, Ambassador Battle served as U.S. Ambassador to the African Union in Ethiopia. He also served that Administration as U.S. Representative to the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, and as a senior adviser to the State Department’s Bureau of African Affairs.
“In addition to his government service, Ambassador Battle has served in a variety of leadership roles in higher education in the faith community, including Executive Vice President of the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, President of the Interdenominational Theological Center in Atlanta, Vice President at Chicago State University, Associate Vice President at Virginia State University, and University Chaplain at Hampton University.
“Ambassador Battle has been a community leader in Atlanta for years, serving as chair of the Robert W. Woodruff Library of the Atlanta University Center, as a member of the UNCF Institutional Board of Directors, the Atlanta Rotary Club, 100 Black Men of Atlanta, and Historically Black Colleges and Universities Congressional Forum Steering Committee.
“The Ambassador chaired Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin’s Advisory Committee for Sustainable Atlanta, served in a variety of roles at the Atlanta Regional Council of Churches, Atlanta Urban League, and the Atlanta Fulton Family Connection, and was a member of the 2008 class of Leadership Atlanta. He holds a lifetime membership with the NAACP, and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference.
“It is an honor Mr. Chairman and Ranking Member to be here alongside Ambassador Battle as he prepares for this pivotal assignment in Tanzania. We need his skilled representation in East Africa. I know he will do this job with honor and effectively. I thank the Committee for consideration of his nomination and humbly urge his swift confirmation. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.”
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