    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1994, Book II)]
    [December 21, 1994]
    [Page 2198]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Statement on the Death of Dean Rusk
    December 21, 1994

        Today we mourn the passing of Dean Rusk, who served our Nation with
    dignity and with strength as Secretary of State under Presidents Kennedy
    and Johnson. Dean Rusk belonged to that great generation of Americans
    who helped guide our Nation and its allies through the dangerous years
    of the cold war. The world has changed immeasurably since he served at
    the side of Presidents, but the principles he helped forge--steadfast
    American promotion of freedom and opposition to tyranny--are as vital as
    ever.
        Dean Rusk's decency, and his loyalty to the Presidents whom he
    served and to those who served under him, remains a source of
    inspiration. When he concluded his 8 years as Secretary of State--the
    second longest tenure of any American who served in that position--
    President Johnson awarded him the Presidential Medal of Freedom, and he
    said, ``The man who has served me most intelligently, faithfully, and
    nobly is Dean Rusk.''
        We will always treasure Dean Rusk's contribution to the United
    States. And we will honor his memory by always striving to emulate his
    example.