Van Hollen's father, former diplomat, dead at 90

The father of U.S. Rep. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), a former ambassador, has died at the age of 90.

Christopher Van Hollen Sr. served with the State Department for 25 years, starting as a foreign affairs analyst in 1951. He moved up the ranks to deputy assistant secretary for Near Eastern and South Asian Affairs, from 1969 to 1972, and as ambassador to Sri Lanka, from 1972 to 1976.

Rep. Van Hollen, the top Democrat on the Budget Committee, was born in Karachi, Pakistan, while his father was posted there in 1959. 

“Christopher Van Hollen, Sr., a distinguished diplomat and former U.S. ambassador who served for 25 years as a Foreign Service Officer at the State Department, passed away last night at the age of 90,” the congressman's office said in a statement. “More information about arrangements will be released when available. Congressman Van Hollen and his family appreciate your thoughts and prayers at this time.”

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