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.]
