David Adelman, a former U.S. ambassador to the Republic of Singapore and a former Georgia state senator, has agreed to donate his official papers, documenting his diplomatic and legislative service, to UGA’s Richard B. Russell Library for Political Research and Studies.
Adelman served from 2010 to 2013 as the 15th U.S. ambassador to Singapore. During that time, he led eight trade missions in the region including the first American trade mission to Myanmar. He also established the U.S.-Singapore Strategic Dialogue and successfully negotiated the terms by which U.S. Navy littoral combat ships would be deployed to Singapore.
Adelman is the recipient of the U.S. Department of State’s Superior Honor Award and the U.S. Navy Distinguished Service Award, the highest award given by the Navy to nonmilitary personnel.
Adelman was a state senator from Georgia’s 42nd District from 2003-2010. He was minority whip and chair of the Senate Urban Affairs Committee.
Adelman’s diplomatic papers include speeches, notes, meeting materials, travel itineraries, strategic planning documents, official correspondence, daily schedules, photographs and press files covering the duration of his ambassadorship. The collection is rounded out with material from his time in the Georgia Senate including files related to legislation and committee work, correspondence from constituents, and campaign material.
Adelman is a graduate of UGA’s Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication as well as the Emory University School of Law and the Georgia State University School of Policy Studies. His interview as a student with Dean Rusk in 1985 is also part of the Russell Library collection.
Adelman returned to the private practice of law at the conclusion of his tour in Singapore. He continues to speak and write on U.S.-Asia issues and is a part-time professor teaching international relations at New York University.
