Executive Session

Floor Speech

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Ms. MIKULSKI. Mr. President, I am pleased to stand here today to support President Obama's nomination of my esteemed colleague, Senator John Kerry, to serve as our Nation's next Secretary of State.

Senator Kerry has had a long career of service to the American people. We have served together in the Senate for 26 years and I look forward to continuing our relationship. As a Senator he has always approached his work with seriousness and dedication. Nowhere can this be seen more than in his work as a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, where he has shown a mastery of the challenges that face our global community.

As the Chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee he has played a prominent role in the establishment of U.S. foreign policy. He has traveled the globe and built relationships and coalitions with international leaders. Most importantly, he has demonstrated an ability to balance our Nation's long history of diplomacy with our changing national security needs. The unanimous support given to him by the Foreign Relations Committee exhibits the respect and confidence he has earned from this body.

The Department of State faces evolving challenges that reflect our increasingly interconnected world and require a modern approach to diplomacy. Senator Kerry will lead a team that must confront global security challenges and ensure the security of our diplomatic corps and their families. I am confident that Senator Kerry will meet these challenges, and I will work with him to ensure that the State Department and its employees have the resources they need to serve their mission.

While I am sorry to see Secretary Clinton leave her post after 4 successful and productive years, I am pleased to know that Senator Kerry will take on the role with the same dedication. I call on my colleagues to join me in approving his nomination to Secretary of State.

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