Political Quotes

“Madam President, my father served in the Foreign Service at the Department of State, so I spent some of my early years overseas. I was proud to be part of a family that represented our great country. I learned firsthand the critical role of our Nation's diplomats, the risks that they take to serve our country, and the part that they play in spreading American ideals of freedom and democracy around the world. The cabinet position of Secretary of State is as old as our Nation. Thomas Jefferson served as President Washington's Secretary of State. The Secretary is the President's top foreign policy adviser and our Nation's chief representative abroad. Today the State Department reaches across the world, advancing our interests, shaping our relationships, advocating for human rights, and working to advance peace. In addition, the Secretary of State will encounter a department of employees who are deeply concerned about the role that they will play and the actions that they may be expected to take in service to the new President. Last week, the Washington Post reported that the State Department's entire senior management resigned, including officials who had worked in both Republican and Democratic administrations. This was an unprecedented loss of institutional knowledge.…”