U.S. Ambassador Houdek to Speak at Texas Tech for Black History Month

Written by Sarah Whetstone

News Release

IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DATE: Feb. 21, 2008
CONTACT: Sarah Whetstone, sarah.whetstone@ttu.edu
(806) 742-2136 ext. 226



U.S. Ambassador Houdek to Speak at Texas Tech for Black History Month

In honor of Black History Month, Texas Tech University’s Office of International Affairs is hosting Ambassador Robert G. Houdek to speak on campus. Houdek, who specializes in African affairs, will present a discussion entitled "Out of Africa…The Threat of Terrorism" at 6 p.m. Wednesday (Feb. 27) in the Human Science lecture hall, room 169.

Houdek’s long and distinguished foreign service career includes more than 25 years focused on and in Africa. With the National Intelligence Council from 1997 until his retirement in 2007, he served as a negotiator with an AID Disaster Assistance Response Team during the Rwandan genocide. Houdek also was an advisor for rebuilding African intelligence capability and for the President’s Greater Horn of Africa Initiative.

Prior to that, Houdek served as Ambassador to Eritrea (1993-96), Ethiopia (1988-91) and Uganda (1985-88). He served in Kenya prior to becoming Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs (1991-93). In addition to serving as Special Advisor to National Security Advisor Henry Kissinger (1969-71), Houdek was awarded the President’s Exceptional Service Medal for this role in evacuating Ethiopian Jews to Israel (1991). A recipient of several Presidential Service and State Department Superior Honor Awards, Houdek is currently working as a lecturer, commentator and consultant on African affairs.

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CONTACT: Jane Bell, director of operations, Office of International Affairs, (806)742-3667, jane.bell@ttu.edu