Today, these women and men represent the extraordinary talent and diversity of America. They're the future of this department. We're thrilled that they join our team. Our president and vice president know how vital the State Department is to America's security and prosperity. And they know how committed the people of the Foreign Service and civil servants are serving our nation to the best of their ability, every single day. As President, Madam Vice President, we are grateful to both of you for visiting us so early in the administration. Despite the remnants of snow outside, we know that you want to make the State Department as strong as it possibly can be for our country. And we know you're counting on us to deliver excellence for the American people. On behalf of everyone in state, I promise you, we will not let you down. Now, a quick word about vice president Harris. She's dedicated her career to the security, the American people. It's a district attorney, California Attorney General, United States Senator, and now is vice president of the United States. And she fully shares the President's commitment to crafting a foreign policy that puts the pharmacy first. That keeps our nation safe and delivers real results to the American people. So it's my great pleasure to introduce to you, the Vice President of United States. Thank you.
It was my great honor to swear you in less than today. And thank you for the warm welcome, everyone. We are here is one of our highest priorities. And you know, the when I sworn the secretary, you may know that he placed his hands on a copy of the very documents that we all swore to protect and defend. And of course, the United States Constitution. And it was as simple and as the sacred. One many of you the dedicated staff at the State Department. And we know that we cannot take those words for granted. Just supporting them. Every day, we have to bring new life into them. That is our duty. As difficult as these past years has been You have remained committed to democracy to human rights and the rule of law. On behalf of our nation, we thank you, for your service and for your sacrifice. Today we are here in person to tell you that we are committed to upholding the highest standards of integrity and accountability into Sydney and diplomacy on the global stage, as a partner, and a leader, this is the foundation on which we stand. We build on that foundation both by what we do abroad, restoring our alliance Supporting international institutions, and also by what we do within our own shores. Our foreign and domestic imperatives are intrinsically linked. Everything you do Every policy you advance every partnership you forward makes it difference in the lives of everyday Americans. At the same time, our strength in the world depends on your strength and our strength here. And that is why we are working to reinforce our democracy, to rescue our nation, from the Pentagon, to rebuild our economy, to the front racial injustice, and to combat climate change. The world is counting on us. And we as a nation must show both our allies and our that America will deliver. Deliver. Again, thank you all for your service.
And Secretary.
Thank you so much, Vice President.
And now just a brief president.
No one has ever brought as much foreign policy expertise and experience to the presidency, as Georgia for the two decades or so that I've worked for him. I've just been trying to keep up for Baghdad, to Bodrum, from Paris to Pretoria, and so many points in between. It's been one of the great privileges and pleasures of my life,
to
watch President Biden in action across the globe. And I know from seeing it in action, that he believes profoundly in leading with mobilizing our friends and allies to work together in common cause as important, he welcomes new ideas, dissenting views, rigorous debate, he wants to ensure that our foreign policies stays innovative, and creative. So this is just responsible as it actually helps to shape. Those are the instructions that I have for him. That is what we're going to try to do here at the State Department. And President by the vice president Harris has been clear that in everything we do, the first question we have to ask ourselves, is this, how is it going to benefit our fellow Americans? How will this policy, how will this initiative, how will this outreach, answer their needs? their balance? How will it make their lives just a little bit better? That's the first question we have to ask. And we're gonna hold ourselves to that standard, every step of the way. We're lucky to have this president and vice president at the helm during such a pivotal time for our nation, and for the world. And so it's my honor today to introduce to you, the United States.
Thank you for walking me back to the State Department. It's true, the Secretary and I have worked together a long time. And I know, I know that he has the backroom capacity needed to quite frankly, leave the State Department at a critical moment. This has been a difficult few years. I've been hanging around as a Foreign Relations Committee and chairman and vice president and now as president for a long time. Those of you who work here including new class, typical match that we are on on the screen behind me, your best educated group of people America has to offer. And I come today to talk to everyone at mainstage watching remotely and those who will not be able to see this panel here. You know, An incredible group of diplomats that I've had a chance to work with and what we never talk about is you're not only have three or not fascinate, you have a great personal courage. I know some of you when we were shot at some new places that you would not have any idea you want to be when you were going to school foreign policy, and Foreign Service and never told you. But you're an incredible group of individuals said many times over the years, those of you who are stationed overseas and have been stationed overseas, you're America's face. When people say in the country you are they look at you, you are the face of America. And a matter of matters great deal. How you comport yourself, and how you deal with the folks that you're dealing with in that particular country. I find that many of you are among the most incredible by the way. I think what we don't do enough, we don't thank your families. I don't think your families for the sacrifices they make. I make sacrifice real sacrifices. I don't know how many times I have moved, again, move to see to it that your spouse's, they give up their careers, many times, many times their careers are as consequential or more consequential than yours. But they do it to the country. And they're to be thanked. But the main message that I want to communicate you all is that whether you're part of the newest class of foreign service officers, they worked for decades in civil service, or foreign service, or your locally employed staff. Your violence, success and strength of our nation depends on National Employment. Later today, I'm going to go over the age of door and send a clear message to the world. America is back. America is back. diplomacy is back. You are the center of all that I intend to do. You are at the heart. We're going to rebuild our alliances. We're going to re engage the world and take on the enormous challenges we face dealing with a pandemic Dealing with global warming and began standing up for democracy and human rights around the world. Again, as I said, You're face of America abroad. In our administration, you're going to be trusted. And you're going to be empowered, trusted and empowered to do your job. But I ask each of you to abide by a few core tenets, integrity in all you do. You said it again, integrity in all you do transparency and accountability to rebuild trust in America around the world, work in the service of the American people, not self interest, and promoting diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility across the board. Because our diplomats at all levels should reflect the full diversity of this great country. I know how much we asked for you and your family. I mean, I do know it's been a long time until you deleted all of your predecessors. The sacrifices you make are real and not recognized. Much by the country in the hole down No. I also know that you've never let us down.
I believe in
I believe,
we need you back. I trust you. I'm going to have your backs that I promise you. Just like you're gonna have a back American people. But I always point out to people and years when I chairman's Foreign Relations Committee, I make sure that my Foreign Relations Committee staff came to my home state and worked in constituent services, many, many foreign policy specialists but it's all about who you work for, who I work for, who we work for. foreign policy is about promoting interest People in the United States when a rumor can set of principles and treat everyone with decency so Promise I'm gonna have your back. I promise you, I expect you to have in the back of the American people. I've got a lot of work to do. A lot of catching up to do a lot of rebuilding to do. And I can't think of many people that are capable of doing it more ready, and all of you. So thank you. Thank you. Thank you for working with you. Before you see me, look forward Coming back to this.
Thank you. You are the heart and soul of who we are our country and the rest of the world is looking to you to help them understand us so we can help them as well. So thank you all very much
Please remain seated until the departure of the official party
get that shot one more time I didn't get it didn't come through the people who were there.
