Russ Feingold: “today the Senate votes to confirm the nomination of Madeleine Albright to be Secretary of State. As many others will say…”

“today the Senate votes to confirm the nomination of Madeleine Albright to be Secretary of State. As many others will say today, this is a historic occasion, as the secretary-designate will soon become the highest ranking woman ever to serve in the United States Government. As a member of the Foreign Relations Committee, it was my distinct honor to approve her nomination at the committee level on Monday. And I am honored to vote for her again today on the floor of the Senate. Back in the 1980's, I had the pleasure of meeting the distinguished nominee in Wausau, in my home state of Wisconsin, while I was a member of the Wisconsin State Senate. At the time, I was introduced to her as the future Secretary of State. I have since been impressed at how she has excelled--in domestic politics, as well as in foreign policy--to allow her to achieve this great honor, the nomination to be the President's chief foreign policy adviser. In more recent days, I have observed her both in private, and at her confirmation hearing before the Foreign Relations Committee on January 8 of this year. And I was again impressed at how articulately and gracefully she responded to questions that literally spanned the globe. Upon confirmation, Ambassador Albright will take on a position that, in my view, is one of the most challenging positions in public service.”