Contact: Maridith Geuder
STARKVILLE, Miss.--On a mission requested by the White House, Mississippi State President Robert H. "Doc" Foglesong again is in the former Soviet Union to further the work of an international effort related to prisoners of war.
In April 2006, the university's chief executive was designated co-chair of the U.S.-Russia Joint Commission on POW/MIAs. A retired four-star Air Force general, he serves as the U.S. representative for a collaboration between the two nations that seeks to locate missing servicemen dating back to World War II.
Foglesong made his first commission-sponsored visit to Russia in late September 2006. During the current five-day visit that ends Friday [Dec. 7], he again is meeting with his counterpart and government officials there to negotiate access to once-secret archives that could help further the effort.
"This important mission has the potential to help bring closure to countless American families," Foglesong said prior to departing. "Our hope is that this visit will establish stronger ties between the two countries that can do that.
"I'm honored to serve in this capacity," he added.
Foglesong was named to the commission shortly after becoming MSU president in March of last year.
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