President
Barack Obama
Remarks
on
the
Nomination
of Senator John Kerry as Secretary of State
Roosevelt
Room
The
White House
December
21,
2012
[White House Transcript]
1:40 P.M. EST
THE PRESIDENT: Good afternoon,
everyone.
When I took office, our nation was engaged in two wars, and al Qaeda
was entrenched in their safe havens. Many of our alliances were
frayed, and America’s standing in the world had suffered.
Over the past four
years, we’ve begun a new era of American leadership. We ended the
war
in Iraq, put the al Qaeda core on the path to defeat, and we’re winding
down the war in Afghanistan. We’ve strengthened
our alliances, including in Asia; forged new coalitions to meet global
challenges; and stood up for human dignity, from North Africa to the
Middle East to Burma. We still, of course, face great
challenges. But
today, I can say with pride that the United States is
safer, stronger and more respected in the world.
In this work, I’ve
been grateful for an extraordinary national security team. Tom
Donilon
has been a part of that, and I’m grateful to him. Of course, one
of
the most important people in this whole transformation
has been our outstanding Secretary of State, my friend, Secretary
Hillary Clinton. Hillary wanted very much to be here today, but
she
continues to recuperate. I had a chance to talk to her earlier
today,
and she is in good spirits and could not be more excited
about the announcement that I’m making.
Over the last four
years, Hillary has been everywhere -- both in terms of her travels,
which have seen her represent America in more countries than any
previous Secretary of State, and through her tireless work
to restore our global leadership. And she’s looking forward to
getting
back to work, and I am looking forward to paying tribute to her
extraordinary service in the days to come.
Today, though, I’m
looking ahead to my second term, and I am very proud to announce my
choice for America’s next Secretary of State -- John Kerry.
In a sense, John’s
entire life has prepared him for this role. As the son of a
Foreign
Service officer, he has a deep respect for the men and women of the
State Department -- the role they play in advancing our
interests and values, the risks that they undertake and the sacrifices
that they make along with their families.
Having served with
valor in Vietnam, he understands that we have a responsibility to use
American power wisely, especially our military power. And he
knows,
from personal experience, that when we send our troops
into harm’s way, we must give them the sound strategy, a clear mission,
and the resources that they need to get the job done.
In an extraordinarily
distinguished Senate career -- and as chairman of the Foreign Relations
Committee -- John has played a central role in every major foreign
policy debate for nearly 30 years.
As we turn the page on
a decade of war, he understands that we’ve got to harness all elements
of American power and ensure that they’re working together --
diplomatic and development, economic and political, military
and intelligence -- as well as the power of our values which inspire so
many people around the world.
As John has said, we
are an exceptional nation “not because we say we are, but because we do
exceptional things.” And I’d say that one of the more exceptional
things we’ve seen in recent decades was when John helped
lead the way, along with folks like John McCain and others, to restore
our diplomatic ties with Vietnam. And when he returned to the
country
where he and so many others had fought so long ago, it sent a powerful
message of progress and of healing.
Over these many years,
John has earned the respect and confidence of leaders around the
world. He is not going to need a lot of on-the-job
training. He has
earned the respect and trust of his Senate colleagues,
Democrats and Republicans. I think it’s fair to say that few
individuals know as many presidents and prime ministers, or grasp our
foreign policies as firmly as John Kerry. And this makes him a
perfect
choice to guide American diplomacy in the years
ahead.
On a personal level,
John has been a great friend. I’ve appreciated John’s partnership
in
helping to advance so many of my foreign policy priorities, including
the ratification of the New START Treaty. I’ve called
on his talents and diplomatic skills on several occasions, on complex
challenges from Sudan and South Sudan to the situation in
Afghanistan.
And each time he has been exemplary.
Of course, I also have
to say thanks because John invited a young Illinois state senator to
address the Democratic Convention in Boston. I was proud to serve
with
him on the Foreign Relations Committee under the
tutelage of Joe Biden -- (laughter) -- and where we all became
friends. But of course nothing brings two people closer together
than
weeks of debate prep. (Laughter.)
John, I’m looking forward to working with you instead of debating
you. (Laughter.)
Finally, I want to
thank Teresa. As someone who came to this country as an
immigrant, she
understands the shining values that America represents to the
world.
As a former interpreter at the United Nations, she
appreciates how our interests can be advanced in partnership with
others. Teresa, thank you so much for being John’s partner in
this
next endeavor.
I have to say I think
I speak for John and Joe and myself -- we just left Danny
Inouye’s
funeral, a man who exemplified the very best of the U.S. Senate
tradition. And so, I know that, John, it won’t be easy to
leave the Senate that you love. And I think it’s fair to say that
there are going to be some great challenges ahead. An uncertain
world
will continue to test our nation.
But even with all the
challenges that we face, I have never been more confident, more
optimistic, that if we act with wisdom and with purpose, and if we’re
guided by our values, and we remind what binds us together
as Americans, the United States will continue to lead in this world for
our lifetimes.
So, John, I am very
grateful that you’ve agreed to take on this new assignment. I’m
confident that the Senate will confirm you quickly. I guess you
won’t
be able to actually appear and preside at the same time
-- (laughter) -- so we’ll have to figure out how that works, but I know
that you are going to be an outstanding Secretary of State.
Thank you so much. Congratulations. (Applause.)
END
1:45
P.M. EST