DEPARTMENT OF STATE

Department of State.The cabinet-level department of the federal government responsible for

advising the President in formulating and executing foreign policy. • Headed by the Secretary of

State, the Department negotiates treaties and other agreements with foreign nations; speaks for the

United States before the United Nations and other international organizations; and represents the

United States at international conferences. It was established in 1789 as the Department of Foreign

Affairs and was renamed the Department of State  later the  same year. 22 USCA §§ 2651–2728.

Foreign affairs are handled through six bureaus: African Affairs, European Affairs, East Asian and

Pacific Affairs, Near East Affairs, South Asian Affairs, and Western Hemisphere Affairs. — Also

termed State Department. [Cases: United States    33. C.J.S. United States § 51.] [Blacks Law 8th]