James N Purcell, Jr
Mr. Purcell’s public affairs career spans every U.S. Administration from President John F. Kennedy onward. Noteworthy career highlights include the direction, from 1978 to 1998, of two of the world’s most involved humanitarian organizations, the State Department’s Bureau for Refugee Programs (RP) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM). Presently, he serves as President of the U.S. Association for International Migration (USAIM) and advises governments and organizations on international migration and humanitarian affairs. He serves on the Board of Directors of: the Council for a Community of Democracies (NGO), the Columbia Housing Corporation, Nazarene Compassionate Ministries, and USAIM.
Mr. Purcell served with the U.S. Government for twenty-seven years until his election in 1988 to an international, intergovernmental leadership position.
TWENTY YEARS OF SERVICE IN EXECUTIVE HUMANITARIAN LEADERSHIP AND
ORGANIZATIONAL DEVELOPMENT—1978 TO 1998
ORGANIZATIONAL DEVELOPMENT—1978 TO 1998
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) – 1988 to 1998
Following respective nominations by US Republican and Democratic Administrations, IOM member governments elected Mr. Purcell to two consecutive five-year terms as Director General in 1988 and 1993. Head- quartered in Geneva, Switzerland, IOM maintained over 70 country missions by the end of his tenure.
Under his leadership, the World War II-vintage organization updated its Constitution and mandate and greatly expanded its membership, geographical scope and capability to help governments facing urgent migration issues and crises.
During the ten years of Mr. Purcell's leadership, the number of member and observer governments affiliated with IOM more than doubled to over 100, spread across all regions of the world. Working closely with the Organization’s governing board, Mr. Purcell mobilized IOM staff to achieve the direct movement (i.e., evacuation from danger, resettlement in other countries, or safe return home) of more than ten million persons around the world and the provision of technical assistance to numerous countries to improve migration
management.
IOM developed a solid reputation for humanitarian cooperation with partner organizations and governments, as well as for solid fiscal management and program accountability. He organized and directed a re-focusing and restructuring of IOM that led to exponential growth in years to come. In 1998 Mr. Purcell announced his decision to pass the Organization to new hands after a period of unprecedented challenge, expansion and
accomplishment.
Following respective nominations by US Republican and Democratic Administrations, IOM member governments elected Mr. Purcell to two consecutive five-year terms as Director General in 1988 and 1993. Head- quartered in Geneva, Switzerland, IOM maintained over 70 country missions by the end of his tenure.
Under his leadership, the World War II-vintage organization updated its Constitution and mandate and greatly expanded its membership, geographical scope and capability to help governments facing urgent migration issues and crises.
During the ten years of Mr. Purcell's leadership, the number of member and observer governments affiliated with IOM more than doubled to over 100, spread across all regions of the world. Working closely with the Organization’s governing board, Mr. Purcell mobilized IOM staff to achieve the direct movement (i.e., evacuation from danger, resettlement in other countries, or safe return home) of more than ten million persons around the world and the provision of technical assistance to numerous countries to improve migration
management.
IOM developed a solid reputation for humanitarian cooperation with partner organizations and governments, as well as for solid fiscal management and program accountability. He organized and directed a re-focusing and restructuring of IOM that led to exponential growth in years to come. In 1998 Mr. Purcell announced his decision to pass the Organization to new hands after a period of unprecedented challenge, expansion and
accomplishment.
Foreign Service Institute (FSI)–1986 to 1988
Mr. Purcell participated in foreign policy and humanitarian affairs research and training programs.
U.S. Department of State Bureau for Refugee Programs (RP)–1978-1986
The lead organization in U.S. refugee and humanitarian programs, the State Department’s Bureau for Refugee Programs (RP), bore Mr. Purcell’s imprint from its inception. In 1978 and 1979 he directed the establishment of RP to oversee the growing involvement of the US in international refugee and humanitarian matters, made urgent by the ending of the Vietnam War.
Afterward, he was officially designated as its first Deputy Assistant Secretary (for Financial Management), where he also functioned as the chief executive officer.
He was the senior RP management official maintained when the Reagan Administration took office in 1981, and was assigned as the senior Deputy Assistant Secretary for Programs and Budgets. He was frequently called upon to serve as Acting Bureau Director, as political leaders of the new Administration were slow in being named.
In 1982, Mr. Purcell was officially named Director of the Bureau for Refugee Programs, a position which he held through most of the Reagan Administration. This position was designated at the Assistant Secretary-equivalent level, pending approval of legislation by the Congress to grant statutory Assistant Secretary status.
He was the senior RP management official maintained when the Reagan Administration took office in 1981, and was assigned as the senior Deputy Assistant Secretary for Programs and Budgets. He was frequently called upon to serve as Acting Bureau Director, as political leaders of the new Administration were slow in being named.
In 1982, Mr. Purcell was officially named Director of the Bureau for Refugee Programs, a position which he held through most of the Reagan Administration. This position was designated at the Assistant Secretary-equivalent level, pending approval of legislation by the Congress to grant statutory Assistant Secretary status.
EXPERTISE IN HUMANITARIAN POLICY, LAW AND OPERATIONS
During a critical period of unprecedented refugee and migration crises around the world (1978 to 1998), Mr. Purcell became an internationally recognized authority and advocate for compassionate and principled humanitarian response.
As Director of RP he guided the implementation of The Refugee Act of 1980, which remains the official mandate for U.S. involvement in international refugee matters. It was during the implementation of this new legislation that the scope of U.S. refugee programs was expanded from a single regional focus (Southeast Asia) to one with a truly global outlook.
The U.S. became the undisputed leader among governments addressing these issues internationally. The domestic resettlement of refugees by US non-governmental organizations reached record levels during this period.
Mr. Purcell advocated a generous and compassionate U.S. response to global refugee needs during numerous appearances before relevant Congressional committees and in discussions across the country with U.S. voluntary and faith-based agencies and institutions and in multi-lateral fora.
As Director General of IOM, he oversaw member governments’ ratification of a revised and updated constitution, which provided a modern mandate for addressing global migration challenges and which formed the basis for IOM strategic planning and operations. He was an active participant in international deliberations on humanitarian law and practice, and delivered frequent speeches and addresses on these topics around the world.
During this twenty-year period he supervised annual programs and operations which reached millions of refugees, migrants and other victims, involving the expenditure of many billions of dollars.
Mr. Purcell advocated a generous and compassionate U.S. response to global refugee needs during numerous appearances before relevant Congressional committees and in discussions across the country with U.S. voluntary and faith-based agencies and institutions and in multi-lateral fora.
As Director General of IOM, he oversaw member governments’ ratification of a revised and updated constitution, which provided a modern mandate for addressing global migration challenges and which formed the basis for IOM strategic planning and operations. He was an active participant in international deliberations on humanitarian law and practice, and delivered frequent speeches and addresses on these topics around the world.
During this twenty-year period he supervised annual programs and operations which reached millions of refugees, migrants and other victims, involving the expenditure of many billions of dollars.
In that context he was involved in the international response to every significant humanitarian crisis and emergency that occurred over this period. Particularly important for the US were:
-- long-term direction of U.S. assistance programs for Indochinese refugees, highlighted by the resettlement of more than 800,000 in this country;
-- emergency evacuation of more than 200,000 migrant workers from Iraq and Kuwait prior to the start of the Persian Gulf War (especially significant was the evacuation of approximately 15,000 mostly female household workers directly from inside Iraq and Kuwait in the two months leading up to the war);
-- collaboration with the allied Gulf War coalition in the repatriation of more than 500,000 Kurds who had fled from Iraq to Turkey and Iran following the initiation of hostilities;
-- emergency evacuation of persecuted Jews to Israel (especially from Ethiopia in Operations Moses and Sheba) and the long-term education, health and subsistence support to Palestinian refugees in the Middle East;
-- resettlement (mainly in the U.S. and Israel) of more than 350,000 refugees and forced migrants
from Russia and the other republics of the former USSR;
-- resettlement, relocation or return (when safety permitted) of numerous victims of wars in Haiti, Central America, Chechnya, the former Yugoslavia and from many countries in Africa (especially significant was the return home of South African exiles prior to President Mandela’s election in 1994).
During this period Mr. Purcell played a leading role in defining and refining the emergency and crisis response capabilities of the U.S. Government and the multilateral community. As IOM Director General, he served as a charter member of the Inter-agency Standing Committee (IASC) of the UN Department of Humanitarian Affairs (and its successor organization), the multilateral coordinating body for crisis and emergency response.
-- long-term direction of U.S. assistance programs for Indochinese refugees, highlighted by the resettlement of more than 800,000 in this country;
-- emergency evacuation of more than 200,000 migrant workers from Iraq and Kuwait prior to the start of the Persian Gulf War (especially significant was the evacuation of approximately 15,000 mostly female household workers directly from inside Iraq and Kuwait in the two months leading up to the war);
-- collaboration with the allied Gulf War coalition in the repatriation of more than 500,000 Kurds who had fled from Iraq to Turkey and Iran following the initiation of hostilities;
-- emergency evacuation of persecuted Jews to Israel (especially from Ethiopia in Operations Moses and Sheba) and the long-term education, health and subsistence support to Palestinian refugees in the Middle East;
-- resettlement (mainly in the U.S. and Israel) of more than 350,000 refugees and forced migrants
from Russia and the other republics of the former USSR;
-- resettlement, relocation or return (when safety permitted) of numerous victims of wars in Haiti, Central America, Chechnya, the former Yugoslavia and from many countries in Africa (especially significant was the return home of South African exiles prior to President Mandela’s election in 1994).
During this period Mr. Purcell played a leading role in defining and refining the emergency and crisis response capabilities of the U.S. Government and the multilateral community. As IOM Director General, he served as a charter member of the Inter-agency Standing Committee (IASC) of the UN Department of Humanitarian Affairs (and its successor organization), the multilateral coordinating body for crisis and emergency response.
OTHER ASSIGNMENTS (1962 TO 1978)
-- 1974 to 1978: Various assignments in the US State Department: Senior program and resource officer for the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs; Deputy Budget Director for the State Department; and Executive Director of the Bureau for Administration.
-- 1968 to 1974: Various assignments with the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) in the Executive Office of the President: Deputy Director of the Budget Preparation Staff; Senior International Affairs Examiner; and Chief of the Justice/Treasury Branch (dealing with law enforcement and federal financial matters).
-- 1966 to 1968: Management analyst assignments with the Agency for International Development in Washington, D.C.
-- 1962 to 1966: Budget analyst assignments with Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) offices in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, and Washington, D.C.
-- 1962: designation as a management intern with the AEC.
CONTACTS AND REPRESENTATIONS
In his executive positions in refugee, migration and humanitarian programs over the past twenty years, Mr. Purcell has traveled to all regions of the world and to most countries. In both IOM and RP, he developed and maintained contacts and working relationships with numerous world leaders and delivered more than 300 major speeches and addresses.
At IOM, he represented the Organization at all major appearances before the United Nations General Assembly and Security Council and other intergovernmental bodies; at meetings in Geneva and in capitals with IOM Member Governments; and before numerous private groups.
In RP he testified many times each year before key House and Senate Committees : Judiciary, Appropriations, Senate Foreign Relations and House International Affairs. He also headed US delegations to all major international meetings and conferences dealing with refugee and humanitarian issues of concern to the U.S.
HONORS, AWARDS
Over his career, Mr. Purcell has received many honors and awards, the most significant of which are listed below:
-- 1998: The Center for Migration Studies (CMS) Immigration and Refugee Policy Award (United States);
-- 1998 (and 1992): Special Commendation, The Institute for International Humanitarian Law, San Remo, Italy;
-- 1995: The Golden Medal of the President of the Hungarian Republic. (When awarded, Mr. Purcell was the first US citizen and the only head of an international organization to receive this high recognition.)
-- 1994: Appreciation Award, conferred and signed by the President of the Republic of Armenia;
-- 1993: The Order of the Phoenix, presented by the Foreign Minister of Greece (the highest honor bestowed on foreign citizens by the Greek Government);
-- 1992: The Wings of Hope Award, presented by the U.S. Association for International Migration;
-- 1987: The Helping Hands Award, presented by World Relief International;
-- 1986: The U.S. Department of State Distinguished Honor Award, signed and presented by Secretary of State George P. Shultz;
-- 1986: Appreciation Award, presented by Save Cambodia, Inc.;
-- 1985: The Senior Executive Service Meritorious Executive Award, conferred and signed by President Ronald Reagan;
-- 1980: Designation as a charter member of the Senior Executive Service of the US Government, signed by President Jimmy Carter;
-- 1961-Present: Various Who’s Who designations, both in the United States and internationally (including Who’s Who in America, Who’s Who in the World and Who’s Who in American Colleges and Universities);
-- 1957-1961: Numerous university awards and honors.
Over his career, Mr. Purcell has received many honors and awards, the most significant of which are listed below:
-- 1998: The Center for Migration Studies (CMS) Immigration and Refugee Policy Award (United States);
-- 1998 (and 1992): Special Commendation, The Institute for International Humanitarian Law, San Remo, Italy;
-- 1995: The Golden Medal of the President of the Hungarian Republic. (When awarded, Mr. Purcell was the first US citizen and the only head of an international organization to receive this high recognition.)
-- 1994: Appreciation Award, conferred and signed by the President of the Republic of Armenia;
-- 1993: The Order of the Phoenix, presented by the Foreign Minister of Greece (the highest honor bestowed on foreign citizens by the Greek Government);
-- 1992: The Wings of Hope Award, presented by the U.S. Association for International Migration;
-- 1987: The Helping Hands Award, presented by World Relief International;
-- 1986: The U.S. Department of State Distinguished Honor Award, signed and presented by Secretary of State George P. Shultz;
-- 1986: Appreciation Award, presented by Save Cambodia, Inc.;
-- 1985: The Senior Executive Service Meritorious Executive Award, conferred and signed by President Ronald Reagan;
-- 1980: Designation as a charter member of the Senior Executive Service of the US Government, signed by President Jimmy Carter;
-- 1961-Present: Various Who’s Who designations, both in the United States and internationally (including Who’s Who in America, Who’s Who in the World and Who’s Who in American Colleges and Universities);
-- 1957-1961: Numerous university awards and honors.
EDUCATION
– 1962: M. P. A., Public Administration, Syracuse University, Graduate with Distinction, Maxwell Graduate School.
– 1961: B. A., Political Science, Furman University, cum laude.
– 1957: Graduated, Fort Lauderdale High School, Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
PERSONAL
– 1938: Born, Nashville, Tennessee
_ 1961: Married
– 1962 and 1964-Births of his and his wife’s two children.
Mr. Purcell and his wife live in Columbia, MD.
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