U.S. Ambassador to Namibia Joyce A. Barr Presents Credentials to President Sam Nujoma.

Windhoek, October 27 -- U.S. Ambassador to Namibia Joyce A. Barr presented her credentials to President Sam Nujoma at a ceremony at the State House today.

After the ceremony, Ambassador Barr left for a familiarization tour of northern Namibia. While in the North, Ambassador Barr will attend the official opening of St. Martin’s Hospital in Oshikuku on Thursday, October 28, at 10h00. At 15h00 on the same day, she will tour the University of Namibia Northern Campus including the American Corner. At 09h00 on Friday, October 29, 2004, Ambassador Barr will visit the Ongwediva Multipurpose Center.

Ambassador Joyce A. Barr arrived in Namibia on the September 30 to begin her post. Ambassador Barr was nominated as Ambassador to Namibia by President Bush and was confirmed by the U.S. Senate.

Ambassador Barr is a career member of the United States Foreign Service. A native of Tacoma Washington, she joined the Department of State in September 1979. Ms. Barr graduated Magna Cum Laude from Pacific Lutheran University with a BA in Business Administration. She also holds a MPA from Harvard University and an MS in National Resource Strategy from the Industrial College of the Armed Forces. She has also received both Swedish and Russian language training.

Her previous assignments abroad include Stockholm, Sweden 1980; Budapest, Hungary 1982; Nairobi, Kenya 1985; Khartoum, Sudan 1989; and Ashgabat, Turkmenistan 1998. Her most recent assignment was as Counselor for Management Affairs in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

She participated in the Pearson Program, a special domestic assignment, which enabled her to work for one year in the Congress.

For further information, please contact Public Affairs Officer, Stan Harsha, at 229801 (ext. 101 or Information Assistant Roger Lyners at x206.

NBA Superstar "Purvis Short"

Superstar Former NBA Basketball Players

on Goodwill Tour of Namibia

First-Ever Visit by U.S. Basketball Pros to This Country.

In the first-ever visit by professional American basketball players to Namibia, two former top National Basketball Association (NBA) players will visit Namibia October 25 through November 1 on a goodwill visit, conducting basketball workshops and giving motivational talks to youth, under the theme, “Basketball 4 Hope, Uplifting Youth Through Sport.”

The two players, Purvis Short, who now serves as Director of Player Programs for the NBA Players (NBPA) Association, and George Johnson, who serves as Regional Representative of the NBPA, will be accompanied by an NBPA executive, Hal Biagas, Deputy Counsel of the NBPA. (Complete text)