[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 86 (Wednesday, May 21, 2025)]
[Senate]
[Page S3054]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                      REMEMBERING RICHARD ARMITAGE

  Mr. REED. Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to Richard 
Armitage, one of the finest statesmen of his, or any, generation of 
American national security leaders.
  Few American leaders have served their Nation more thoroughly--from 
combat overseas as a young officer, to the heights of diplomacy on the 
world stage. Richard Armitage will hold an important place in our 
country's history.
  Richard dedicated his life to service. He attended the Naval Academy 
and, following graduation, volunteered to serve three combat tours in 
Vietnam. He was known to his comrades to be fearless and unwavering, 
even risking his life embedding with Vietnamese riverine warfighters 
and, over the objections of others, personally led a flotilla of 30,000 
Vietnamese refugees to safe harbor during the fall of Saigon.
  Richard would go on to serve in a number of critical roles in the 
Senate, Pentagon, and State Department across a number of 
administrations, including as Assistant Secretary of Defense for 
International Security Affairs and as Deputy Secretary of State. He 
served as one of America's lead diplomats during the Gulf War, in 
Eastern Europe after the fall of the Soviet Union, and in the early 
years of the Global War on Terror.
  Throughout his distinguished career, Richard was an inspirational 
force to the men and women he commanded and the leaders he advised. 
Indeed, like his reputation as a linebacker at the Naval Academy, his 
tenacity was legendary among the national security and foreign policy 
leaders he worked with.
  I was privileged to work often with Richard, both in and out of his 
time in government. His leadership in so many demanding jobs leaves me 
with great admiration and gratitude.
  Richard's love for his country was surpassed only by his love of 
family--his wonderful wife Laura, their eight children, and their 
beautiful grandchildren. I offer the Armitage family my deepest 
condolences and thank them for sharing Richard with us for so many 
years.
  Richard Armitage was a powerful, inspiring person. He dedicated his 
life's work to serving others, and his was a life well-lived. He will 
be missed by all who had the privilege to know him and serve with him.
  I am proud to honor the legacy of Richard Armitage, and I know the 
Members of the Senate will join me in recognizing the incredible 
contributions he made for our Nation.

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