U.S. State Department names main library for late envoy Ralph Bunche

Jet, June 2, 1997

Because of her unflagging determination, a Black public affairs specialist has accomplished what major leaders and civil rights organizations have failed to do in several decades.

The enthusiasm of Nicole Peacock resulted in the State Departments naming its main library in honor of the Black man who not only won the Nobel Peace Prize for Peace but who wrested freedom for Israel at a crucial time -- Ralph Bunche.

The library first opened around 1789 and is the country's oldest federal library.

Finally, the State Department recognized the achievements of Bunches career in diplomacy launched 56 years ago. Up to the time of Ms. Peacock, a Californian, the legacy of the Black pioneer was ignored and neglected at home but hailed throughout the world as a scholar, diplomat and statesman.

After Count Folke Bernadotte of Sweden was assassinated in 1948, Dr. Bunche was entrusted by the United Nations Security Council to mediate the Arab-Israel conflict to try to bring about peace. He kept the participants at the negotiation table for 91 days until an agreement was reached, which resulted in an armistice and peace.

Nicole Peacock mobilized the American Foreign Service Association and the Thursday Luncheon Group, comprised of Black State Department officials and employees, to revive the Bunche record.

The result was the dedication of the Ralph J. Bunche Library at the State Department attended by dignitaries, including the envoy's daughter, Joan Bunche, retired career ambassador Terrence A. Todman, Sir Brian Urquhart, a former colleague and biographer, and Ambassador Ruth A. Davis, principal deputy assistant secretary of state for consular affairs, and president of the Thursday Luncheon Group.

Other VIP guests were Patrick F. Kennedy, the department's acting undersecretary for management, and F. Allen Morris, the president of the American Foreign Service Association.

According to former diplomat William B. Davis, the dignitaries took turns praising the public service contributions made by the former United Nations Undersecretary General.

Said former envoy Todman, "There are a lot of Ralph Bunches out there, and the State Department needs to do a much better job of finding them and recognizing their potential."

After cutting the ribbon at the ceremony, Joan Bunche thanked Nicole and the others "for the recognition given my father." Nicole is a graduate of Exeter University in Devon, England.