During his thirty-four year tenure in Congress, Mr. Hamilton established broad expertise and influence in foreign affairs. He served on the Committee on International Relations, and its predecessor, the Committee on Foreign Affairs, for his entire time in Congress. He served as chairman of the committee from 1993 to 1995, and as ranking member from 1995 to 1999. He also chaired the Subcommittee on Europe and the Middle East from 1971 to 1993.
 
Mr. Hamilton focused substantial attention on promoting democracy and market reform in the former Soviet Union and Eastern Europe; advancing peace and stability in the Middle East; expanding U.S. markets overseas; and overhauling U.S. foreign aid. He was an astute observer of many historic events, including the fall of the Berlin Wall, the 1991 Gulf War, and Arab/Israeli peace negotiations.