Barbados

Overview:

Barbados is one of the more populous and prosperous Caribbean islands. Political, economic and social stability have given it a relatively high standard of living.  Known for its beaches and cricket - its national sport - the former British colony has a dual heritage: English - evident in its stone-built Anglican churches and Saturday race meetings - and African, reflected in its music and dance. Barbados was in the past heavily dependent on the export of sugar as its main revenue earner, but in recent decades the economy has diversified into tourism and finance. It also has offshore reserves of oil and natural gas.  Outgoing Governor-General Sandra Mason, the last representative of the British Crown, became the first president of Barbados in November 2021.  She was chosen by parliament the previous month. Despite deciding to become a republic in 2020, Barbados will remain a member of the 
Commonwealth. 
Source: BBC Country Profile

American Embassy Bridgetown:

The inspection took place May 31 – June 18, 2001.   Management Officer, Paul Carpenter, was an experienced FSO.  The FMO was Susan Page, a management generalist, but finance was not her strength.  The GSO was Constance Dierman who became the Consul General at Hamilton, Bermuda and in 2020 ended up being inspected by OIG.  There were 33 formal recommendations made in this inspection.  Like other inspections to date, myself as a management type was saddled with making logistical arrangements for the team.  This meant making sure everybody applied for visas, schedule flights, made hotel reservations and was the main liaison with the embassy for administrative support for the team.  We did stay in a nice hotel the Cassurina Beach.  Well on this inspection my colleagues were not pleased that we had to fly back through Miami to get to our next stop, Nassau instead of flying direct from Bridgetown.  Anyway, the Fly America policy required us to use an American carrier and, if I remember correctly, we were able to connect direst instead of having to overnight in Miami.               

Findings:

The priority for the embassy was to identify a suitable property for a new embassy.  OIG recommended that the Office of Overseas Buildings Operations (OBO) finalize the decision memorandum to continue to start the construction or to look for a new office building site.  The department finally identified a 3.2 acre site, renovated an existing five-story building as well as an addition of similar scale that was completed in 2006. OIG also recommended Office of Office Buildings Operations should assess the regional assignments of facilities maintenance specialist positions in the Caribbean to provide adequate support to Bridgetown.

There were issues with other agencies not using the embassy contracting officer to commit the embassy to the purchase of goods or services.  OIG emphasized that the Department of State will not ratify the unauthorized commitments of other agencies.  The embassy needed to prepare a written comprehensive vehicle usage policy in accordance with Foreign Affairs Manual.

In financial management prior year unliquidated obligations needed to be reviewed to verified and de-obligate funds if obligations are no longer valid. Also, review prior year outstanding travel advance accounts and proceed with collection action for those that are still not cleared. The OIG also cited the Cashier for not reconciling the outstanding deposits from 1998-99 and differences in local currency and U.S. dollars to balance her accountability.  We ended up suggesting that  FSC/Charleston establish a new separate cashier code for Barbados.  OIG also reminded the Cashier to review and verify the daily accounting sheets for Consular collections. 

In terms of Human Resources OIG recommended that the responsibility for paying the employer contributions to the National Insurance Scheme and the American Life Insurance Company should be transferred to the Charleston Financial Service Center.  HR should establish procedures to terminate post differential payments when employees travel to the U.S.  Also, HR should publish and disseminate its policy on hiring American citizens and eligible family members.  In the area of refunds made to employees for sick leave from the government of Barbados National Insurance Scheme procedures were needed to record reimbursements through an automated accounts receivable system.  OIG recommended that a policy be established on overtime and issue an administrative instruction stressing that regulations require all overtime to be approved in advance.

With respect to the other embassies accredited to Barbados (Grenada, Dominica, St. Lucia, Antigua/Barbuda, St. Kitts/Nevis, and St. Vincent/Grenadines) OIG recommended that a mechanism be established to charge the administrative support costs for Embassy Grenada directly through International Cooperative Administrative Support Services. The Bureau of Financial Management and Policy should consider Embassy Bridgetown’s request to change the designation of the sub cashier at Embassy Grenada to principal cashier the accountable consular officer each month.

Highlights:

•   West coast resorts and beaches

•   Rugged north coast

•   East coast excursion overland by 4-wheel

•   Capital of Bridgetown

•   Eating Flying Fish    

Our hotel Casuarina Beach Hotel located on beautiful
 Dover Beach and four miles from Bridgetown.

Marina in Bridgetown

St. Michael's Cathedral Bridgetown

Kingston, Jamaica

Overview:

Known for its strong sense of self identity expressed through its music, food and rich cultural mix, Jamaica's influence extends far beyond its shores.  With luminaries such as the black nationalist Marcus Garvey and musician Bob Marley, Jamaicans are proud of their cultural and religious heritage. Jamaicans have migrated in significant numbers to the United States, Canada and Britain and their music stars are known around the globe. The island is the birthplace of Rastafarianism, a religious movement which has been adopted by groups around the world who venerate the former Ethiopian emperor Haile Selassie. Once regarded as a revolutionary threat, Rastafarianism became a cultural force, reflected in art and music.  Since independence from Britain in 1962, power in Jamaica has alternated between the social-democratic People's National Party and the conservative Jamaica Labour Party.  Political stability, however, has not turned into social and economic harmony.  Andrew Holness, a former education minister and leader of the Jamaican Labour Party, became prime minister in March 2016.  He governs with a slim one-seat majority after his then-opposition party beat the party of Portia Simpson Miller, Jamaica's first female head of government, in elections.  Among the challenges the government faces is a high rate of youth unemployment and dealing with the country's heavy debt.

Source:  BBC Country Profile

American Embassy Kingston:

The inspection took place from May 15-31, 2001.  This was the first of three embassies being inspected in the spring in addition to Barbados and Nassau.  The OIG team consisted of Ambassador John Monjo who has served as Ambassador to Malaysia, Indonesia and Pakistan.  He was a pleasure to work with given his laidback style.  Other team members were Bill Whitman (Deputy), Jackie James (Mgmt), Bill Belcher (DS) and Ernest Fischer (CONS).    Everybody was easy going and I learned a lot from Jackie and Bill.  Both along with Bill Whitman have since passed away.  The Management Officer was Moosa Valli who had the management inspectors over for dinner at his house, which for ethical reasons, is no longer possible today.  I worked closely with Moosa for making hotel arrangements, office space and scheduling our entrance meetings with all FSOs and FSNs for the team.   We ended up staying at the Pegasus (with breakfast included).   Moosa went on to have tours as a Management Officer in Pretoria and Nairobi, CG in Capetown and DCM in Malawi.  He did end up with OIG as a senior Management Inspector in a later tour and attributed his joining OIG to his experience with the team in Kingston. I also worked with Ron Coles, IMO to get everyone set up with PCs and passwords.  The FMO position was vacant for seven months prior to our arrival and a series of TDY FMOs covered the office intermittingly.  The new FMO, Theo Lewis, arrived shortly before we arrived.    

Findings:

The Department’s Office of Overseas Buildings Operations owned an apartment complex called the Crown Plaza that needed a long-range plan for renovation.  In addition to developing a capital construction plan OIG recommended the embassy hire additional staff or assign a facilities management specialist to monitor and maintain the Crowne Plaza complex.  Interesting dynamics with local community that didn't mind if the embassy used it for embassy staff housing but no way did they want the building used for Consular services and issuing visa.  Eventually, the property (changed to Powell Plaza) was sold in May 2019.

 In terms of Human Resources OIG recommended that the embassy establish procedures to terminate post differential payments when employees travel to the United States.  The embassy should obtain approval from the Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs for personal services agreement authority to regularize the recurring employment of casual hires.  

In the area of financial management there were issues with the receipt of Consular fees through Citibank that needed to be resolved.  The embassy needed to establish a centralized system for maintaining accounts receivable records.  

Highlights:

•    Bob Marley Museum

•    Devon House

•    Blue Mountains

  
                                       

                                   OIG Team Jackie James, Bill Belcher, Bill Whitman, John Mongo and me.

Jamaican Skyline

Devon House, built in 1881 is the former residence of George Stiebel (1820-1896), Jamaica's first black millionaire.  He gained his wealth in Venezuela and returned to Jamaica.  Now a museum. 

                    

Entrance to Bob Marley Museum his former residence and home to the Tuff Gong reggae record label founded by the Wailers in 1970.  Tuff Gong international recording studio produced songs such as "No Woman No Cry" "Trenchtown Rock" "Stir it Up", "Catch a Fire" "Redemption Song", "Buffalo Soldier" and "Could You Be Loved".  The studio is still in use by international music stars.  

Kingston Coastline

Blue Mountains at the highest point 7,402 ft. where the famous Jamaican Blue Mountain Coffee is cultivated  

                                      

Montevideo, Uruguay

Overview:

Uruguay has traditionally been more affluent than other countries in South America and is known for its advanced education and social security systems and liberal social laws. It was the first nation in Latin America to establish a welfare state, maintained through relatively high taxes on industry, and developed a democratic tradition that earned it the sobriquet "the Switzerland of South America". But economic and political turmoil, in particular left-wing urban guerrilla attacks in the early 1970s, led the government of the day to suspend the constitution and launch a period of repressive military rule that lasted until 1985.   Tabare Vazquez's decisive victory in the 2014 run-off presidential election over right-wing challenger Luis Lacalle Pou cemented left-wing rule for another five years. 

Source:  BBC Country Profile

Americna Embassy Montevideo:

The Management Officer was Michael St. Clair, a nice guy who was very responsive and welcoming. An American Regional Human Resources (HR) Officer and Regional Financial Management Officer from the WHA/Florida regional center visits the post quarterly for a week to provide technical assistance with personnel and financial matters.    

The I.M. Pei designed, government-owned chancery was constructed in 1969, and was designated as an A/FBO culturally significant property. The bright, pleasant chancery provides generous office space for most employees. Nevertheless, the building’s mechanical, electrical, plumbing and fire protection systems were in need of major renovation work. 

In those days embassy staff had to complete not only personal questionnaires before the inspection but also, what was called, an Administrative Services Satisfaction Questionnaire (ASSQ).  These forms were mailed to OIG prior to the inspection, but in this case the ASSQs were late getting to Washington.  

Findings:

Post management needs to schedule quarterly ICASS Council meetings and should establish an inter-agency working group to address administrative support issues.

HR Issues of major concern include the lack of a FSN retirement plan, conversion of personal services contracts (PSCs) to PSAs and past due FSN employee evaluations. A few position descriptions need to be updated as well.  A local leave plan and social benefits allowance consistent with local law and prevailing practice should be implemented.  Also, hold individual supervisors accountable for the timely completion of employee evaluations and update the position descriptions to reflect current duties and responsibilities. More controls were needed in the use of overtime to ensure that it is approved in advance.  There should be more opportunities for eligible family member employment.   

The Financial Management section was headed up by an experienced Senior FSN Financial Specialist.  The embassy needed to install the latest Travel Manager software and implement using the program for preparing travel authorizations processing travel vouchers.  The embassy should cease the practice of making cash payments and their salaries in cash through the Citibank cashier based on the pay list from FSC/Charleston.  Consistent with the mandate from the Government Results and Performance Act (GPRA) OIG recommended that FSC/Charleston establish a schedule to have FSN salaries paid by electronic funds transfer. The embassy should also resolve the unliquidated obligations of FY 96 State appropriated funds. 

Highlights:

•      Visit to Colonia UN World Heritage Site

•      Walking the Corniche

•      Mercado del Puerto

•      Modern malls with movie theaters.  I remember watching the movie "Hannibal" with                     Anthony Hopkins.

Montevideo Skyline

Motevideo Coastline



Mercado del Puerta the city's principle meat and produce market.

                                         

 

The Historic Quarter of the City of Colonia del Sacramento is a fusion of Portuguese, Spanish and post-colonial styles. The buildings date from the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries. Its street plan is organic, contrary to the general checkerboard layout used elsewhere in colonial Latin America.

Colonia, situated on a peninsula, was first settled by the Portuguese in 1680. Portuguese sovereignity was much disputed by the Spanish during the first decennia. They besieged the town and control changed hands several times. The Spanish empire finally took hold of this strategic post on the Río de la Plata in 1777.



Asuncion, Paraguay

Overview:

Landlocked Paraguay is at the heart of South America, surrounded by Argentina, Bolivia and Brazil.  Political unrest, corruption and chronic economic problems have plagued the country's fragile democracy since it emerged from the 35-year dictatorship of the late Gen Alfredo Stroessner in 1989.  Around a quarter of Paraguayans live below the national poverty line. Much of the land is owned by a small number of individuals and successive governments have been slow to implement land reform. The economy is reliant on agriculture and hydroelectric power. Unlike its neighbors, Paraguay does not have a large tourism industry.  Most of the population is of mixed Spanish and Guarani descent, known as mestizos, and speak the indigenous language Guarani as well as Spanish. Former senator Mario Abdo Benítez, of the ruling Colorado Party, assumed office in August 2018.

Source:  BBC Country Profile

American Embassy Asuncion:

The inspection took place from The DCM was David M. Robinson who went on to become a Minister-Counselor, Ambassador to Guyana and currently the Assistant Secretary for the Bureau of Conflict and Stabilization. The Management Officer was Frank Ledahawsky who is now the Management Counselor in London.  The FMO was Tim Sears was on his first tour and retired now and working as a REA with INL/AME.  Also, the local hire HR specialist, Karin MacGuire, was very impressive and, in fact, was nominated to become an HRO.  She is still working at the embassy as OIG is conducting a virtual inspection of the embassy this year.

Findings:

Embassy was housed in 50-year old building with insufficient office space. Accordingly, post management needed to submit space design plans to A/FBO to remodel the executive office areas, political, economic, consular, regional security and consular section to include a proper cashier office and contiguous office space for all consular section employees. OIG understood that funding for construction of new embassy compound was postponed due to a funding shortfall and was scheduled for 2010.  Management was still working under the old Joint Administrative Operation (JAO) and had not really embraced International Cooperative Administration Service (ICASS).  OIG recommended that the ICASS council hold regular meetings to address administrative support issues and provide direction to the interagency working group.

The only issue in Human Resources was a need to analyze the current retirement coverage for LE Staff and recommend a supplemental Defined Contribution Fund or replace the local pension fund which was going bankrupt. There were no major findings for financial management.

Highlights:

There was not much to do in Asuncion.  We did stop in Buenos Aires overnight in route to Asuncion to connect to our flight.  John McCarthy and I went to a Tango club to enjoy some music and dancing.  I remember getting ripped off by the taxi driver who cheated me out of change showing me a 20 Peso when I had given him a 50.     

Grand Lopez Palace 

The Church of Our Lady of the Assumption

Downtown Asuncion

      

Lima, Peru

Overview:

Peru's rich and varied heritage includes the ancient Incan capital of Cuzco and the lost city of Machu Picchu plus, spectacular scenery, including Lake Titicaca, the world's highest navigable lake. A growing number of visitors are being drawn to its variety of attractions.  The country has been experiencing an economic boom. Foreign investors, attracted by the government and encouraged by favorable conditions, have been keen to get involved in exploiting the country's mineral wealth, sometimes in the face of local resistance. A left-wing primary school teacher with no experience of national politics, Pedro Castillo beat conservative candidate Keiko Fujimori in a very close contest in 2021. He pledged to carry out radical constitutional changes as well as economic policies for the benefit of the poor but has since moderated his rhetoric. Peru has become the world's leading producer of cocaine. 

Source:  BBC Country Profile

American Embassy Lima:

The inspection took place in Lima, Peru, from January 26 to February 23, 2001.   Our team leader was John T. McCarthy.  John was Harvard educated and served as Ambassador to Lebanon (1988-90) and Tunisia (1991-94).  He retired to Woodbury, Connecticut.  He was on the Board of Save the Children.  He is married to well-known artist Marija Pavlovich McCarthy.  The deputy was Richele Keller.  Other team members were Douglas V. Ellice, Jr (CONS), Edward W. Linhart (MGMT), Paul H. Tyson (POL), Thomas F. Foulger, Joseph Lahnstein (DS), Paul O’Brien, John Taladay, and Stephen Tomchik. This was my first inspection with the OIG.  The other senior management inspector was not that helpful in terms of assisting me with what to review in Financial Management and Human Resources.  I just followed the administrative guidelines.   I learned much more from Richele particularly with writing up findings and recommendations.   The DCM was Roberta Jacobson a South American specialist who went on to become the Ambassador to Mexico (2016-18) and who was recently named by President Biden as the Coordinator for the Southern Border.  The Management Counselor was Elizabeth Hinson a very sharp officer.  I don't remember who the FMO was but the senior LE Staff Financial Specialist, Hedy Saria, was very competent and basically ran the day-to-day operations.  The HRO was Bernie Garcia who felt that Hinson was a micro-manager. 

Findings:

The embassy compound was new having been built in 1995 and since had increased by 60 American staff.  A new USAID building was under construction on the compound and scheduled to be completed in 2002.   There were issues with the lack of adequate parking, shortage of housing and the Ambassador’s residence.  In terms of administrative services there were some redundancies in the delivery of services between the Department of State and the U.S. Agency for International Development which needed to be clarified and eliminated.    

There was confusion regarding participation of Locally Employed (LE) Staff participation in the local government health plan which was referred to the Department’s Legal Advisor for a legal opinion.   Overtime payments to LE Staff were excessive because there was no requirement to approve in advance as required by regulations.

In the area of Financial Management the embassy used the Suspense Deposit Account for unauthorized purposes that required special authorization from the Bureau of Financial Management and Policy. 

Highlights:

Having drinks with Doug, Richele and Paul

The team got along pretty well but only a few of us got together nightly for dinner. I was surprised that some members actually brought food in their luggage and didn't eat out much.  I guess they wanted to save as much per diem as possible. Most of the team members made the trip to Machu Pichu but, unfortunately, since I had the incident with my heart in 2000 I was afraid to make the hike to an altitude as high as 13,776 ft.  Also, regret not going on a trip to Iguazu falls.       

• First taste of Ceviche

• Happy hour at the Costa Verde on the Beach Road

• Walking Mira Flores district

• Watching the Super Bowl at the Marriott hotel

Favorite Italian Restaurant:

La Trattoria di Mambrino 

Calle Bonilla 106, Miraflores, Lima, Peru

 Best Ceviche

 Pescados Capitales

 La Mar 1337, Miraflores

 This lunch-only cevicheria serves the freshest fish   in original combinations.  Their classic ceviche de   pescado is to die for.    

                                                                         

                          Lima Skyline                                

Above Beach Road

Plaza de Armas where Francisco Pizarro founded Lima bordered by the Government Palace

                                     

Basilica Cathedral of Lima

          

       

 

The Ravens pounded the Giants 34-7 behind a furious defensive effort, forcing five turnovers and holding New York to 152 yards to win their first NFL championship.  Ray Lewis was the MVP.

2000 Year in Review

Highlights:

• As an Instructor in the Management training section at FSI (Foreign Service Institute) I had the opportunity to travel to New Delhi, India ( April 1-8) Islamabad, Pakistan (April 9-14, and Bangkok, Thailand in April 28 -  May 22 to give Supervisory Skills training and Customer Focused Management to local staff and attend an IMO conference with a stop in San Francisco May 23-26 on the way home .  (See separate blog on trip)

• Week of February 21 attended a conference at the Charleston Financial Service Center. 

• CFO Bert Edwards made it a point to speak to every new FMO class.

• We used to invite the regional bureau (AF, EAP, EUR, NEA/SCA and WHA) budget officers for a roundtable discussion with the FMOs to get an understanding of the Bureau's role vis-a-vis funding and relations with FMOs.

• Being assigned to FSI gave me an opportunity to develop some resource materials for FMOs to use in their job.  Reference items included:

• Listing of Due Dates for reporting requirements, requesting office contact and phone number.
• Financial management subject in alphabetical order and specific FAM/FAH site authority. 
• Management contact list by topic, office responsible, name of person responsible, telephone and FAX number.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          

    

Farewell Messages from Colleagues

• Although it was just a one year tour I made a lot of friends in the School for Professional Studies.  I thank Janet Beuschel for arranging the one year "Bridge" tour and my FMO instructor colleagues Tom Quinzio and Nada    . 

• In August I was assigned to the Office of Inspector General (OIG) as a Management Inspector.  Initially I worked on the survey phase of the inspection of Dar es Salaam and Nairobi.  First exposure to Regional Bureau, HR/OE, HR/CDA, A/OPR/CR, A/OPR/OS and M/FLO.  Even the Under Secretary for Management, Patrick Kennedy and Bill Eaton.

• The week of August 14 I attended the Inspectors General Auditor Training Institute at Fort Belvoir.

• OIG orientation and training took place the week of September 11

• My first inspection was of the European Bureau which lasted from October until mid-December.  EUR/EX was Lynn Dent and Budget Officer Roger Simpson who was instrumental in getting my assignment to Athens in 1994.

• I also received a certificate for completing 25 years of service with the Department of State.

Favorite Memories:

• Returning to the U.S. also gave an opportunity to see old friends and get together with others that I served with overseas.  Especially liked getting together with Jim Robertson and Roger Meece.  Both Jim and Roger and I go back to Peace Corps days.  I played squash with Roger out at the Fairfax County gym.  He went on to become the Ambassador in Zaire and retired to Washington state.  I attended Roger's swearing in October 2, 2000.   We still stay in touch with Jim and see him and his wife Claire every time we go up to Washington.  

• January 28, 2000 saw Harry Connick Jr. at a concert.

• May 31st farewell lunch with Tom and Naida.

• I used to meet my friends from the Department and overseas at Ireland's Four Courts Pub near the Courthouse Metro in Arlington.  Fond memories of holding court with former colleagues like Mark Young     

• In July I experienced a mild heart attack playing tennis and had to have an angioplasty with a stent planted in my arteries.  Another stent was added in December as a result of scar tissue.  I'll never forget Dr. Bryan Raybuck who took  

U.S. Events:

• Wary investors bring stock plunge; beginning of the end of the Internet stock boom (Feb. 25).
• Cuban boy Elián González, 6, at center of international dispute, reunited with his father after federal raid of Miami relatives' home (April 22).
• U.S. presidential election closest in decades; Bush's slim lead in Florida leads to automatic recount in that state.  Republicans file federal suit to block manual recount of Florida presidential election ballots sought by Democrats.  Florida Supreme Court rules election hand count may continue. U.S. Supreme Court orders halt to manual recount of Florida votes. Supreme Court seals Bush victory by 5-4; rules there can be no further recounting (Dec. 12). 

World Events:

• Austria at center of European dispute after conservative People's Party forms coalition with the far-right Freedom Party, headed by xenophobe Jörg Haider (Feb. 3).
• Reformists win control of Iranian parliament for first time since 1979 Islamic revolution (Feb. 26).
• Governing of Northern Ireland passes back and forth between Britain and nascent Northern Irish parliament; major dispute over IRA's refusal to disarm (Feb-May).
• Former Indonesian president Suharto under house arrest, charged with corruption and abuse of power (May 29).
• Presidents of North and South Korea sign peace accord, and at least symbolically, end a half-century of antagonism (June 13).
• Vicente Fox Quesada elected president of Mexico, ending 71 years of one-party rule by the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI) (July 2).
• Concorde crash kills 113 near Paris (July 25).
• Palestinians and Israelis clash, spurred by visit of right-wing Israeli leader Ariel Sharon to a joint Jewish/Muslim holy site; "Al Aksa intifada" continues unabated (Sept. 30 et seq.).
• Nationwide uprising overthrows Yugoslavian president Milosevic (Oct. 5); Vojislav Kostunica sworn in as president (Oct. 7).
• U.S. sailors on Navy destroyer Cole die in Yemen terrorist explosion (Oct. 12).
• Mad cow disease alarms Europe (Nov. 30 et seq.).     

Movies:

Best Picture was "American Beauty".  Best Actor was Kevin Spacey "American Beauty".  Best actress was Hilary Swank in "Boys Don't Cry".  Michael Caine in "Cider House Rules" and Angelina Jolie in "Girl, Interrupted" won best supporting actor and actress respectively.  Sam Mendez won as best director. 

                                               

Super Bowl:

Super Bowl XXXIV was between the St. Louis Rams and Tennessee Titans.  The Rams defeated the Titans by the score of 23–16, capturing their first Super Bowl win and first NFL championship since 1951. The Rams entered their second Super Bowl in team history with an NFC-best 13–3 regular season record. It was the franchise's first playoff appearance since 1989, when they were still in Los Angeles. The Titans, who were originally the Houston Oilers, also finished the regular season with a 13–3 record, but advanced to their first Super Bowl in team history after entering the playoffs as a wild-card team.   The game was tied 16-16 with 2:12 left in regulation when quarterback Kurt Warner completed a 73-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Isaac Bruce to regain the lead. The Titans then drove to the St. Louis 10-yard line with six seconds remaining, but on the final play of the game, Rams linebacker Mike Jones tackled Tennessee wide receiver Kevin Dyson one yard short of the goal line.  This play went into NFL lore as "One Yard Short", or simply "The Tackle".  Warner was named Super Bowl MVP, becoming the sixth player to win both that award and the NFL MVP during the same season.  As of 2019, this was the most recent Super Bowl that featured two teams that had never won the title before.

World Series:

In the 2000 World Series the Yankees defeated the Mets, four games to one, to win their third consecutive championship and 26th overall. It was referred to as the "Subway Series", referring to the longstanding matchup between New York baseball teams; it was the first World Series contested between two New York teams since the 1956 World Series. Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter was named the World Series Most Valuable Player.

The Mets advanced to the World Series by defeating the San Francisco Giants, three games to one, in the NL Division Series, and then the St. Louis Cardinals, four games to one, in the NL Championship Series; it was the team's fourth World Series appearance, making it the most of any expansion franchise in MLB and the Mets' first appearance since winning the 1986 World Series.  The Yankees were the first team in baseball to win three consecutive championships since the 1972–1974 Oakland Athletics, and the first professional sports team to accomplish the feat since the 1996–1998 Chicago Bulls.