The Asia Foundation

Tom Foley joined The Asia Foundation's board of trustees in 2001. He is a partner in the law firm of Akin, Gump, Strauss, Hauer & Feld, L.L.P. in Washington, D.C. He is currently the chairman of the Trilateral Commission. Prior to rejoining the firm in 2001, Ambassador Foley served as the 25th U.S. ambassador to Japan. Before taking up his diplomatic post in November 1997, he served as the 49th speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives. He was elected to represent the state of Washington's Fifth Congressional District 15 times, serving his constituents for 30 years from January 1965-December 1994. Ambassador Foley served as majority leader from 1987 until his election as speaker in 1989. From 1981-1987, he served as majority whip. In 1996, the government of Japan conferred upon him the Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun, Paulowina Flowers, in recognition of his service to the U.S. House of Representatives and the important impact he had in facilitating harmonious U.S.-Japan relations and promoting understanding of Japan in the United Sates.