    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1997, Book I)]
    [January 23, 1997]
    [Pages 68-69]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks at the Swearing-In of Madeleine K. Albright as Secretary of
    State and an Exchange With Reporters
    January 23, 1997

        The President. Welcome. Mr. Vice President, Secretary-designate
    Albright, members of your family, Senator Helms, Senator Mikulski. Is
    Congressman Hamilton here? Under Secretary Tarnoff. I'm very pleased to
    preside at Madeleine Albright's swearing-in today. I thank the Senate
    for its swift and unanimous approval of her nomination. That reflects
    the confidence that all of us have in this remarkable American. It also
    sends a strong signal of the Senate's willingness to work with us to
    fashion a constructive and bipartisan foreign policy to advance the
    national interest of America.
        This is a time of great hope and opportunity. If we are going to
    realize its promise, we must recognize that our global leadership is
    essential. In the next century, no less than this one, America must
    continue to be the world's greatest force for peace and freedom and
    prosperity. Madeleine Albright has the strength and wisdom to help
    ensure that America remains the indispensable nation.
        Arriving on our shores as a refugee from tyranny and oppression, she
    worked her way up with determination and character to attain our
    Nation's highest diplomatic office. She knows from her life's experience
    that freedom has its price and democracy its rewards. Her story is the
    best of America's story, told with courage, compassion, and conviction.
        As our U.N. Ambassador these last 4 years, she has stood
    unflinchingly for America's interest and values. Now as our Secretary of
    State, she will help lead the effort to build a world where America
    makes the most of its partnerships with friends and allies around the
    world, where America leads the fight for a world that is safer from
    weapons of terror and mass destruction, where America leads the fight
    for a world that is safer from organized crime, drug

    [[Page 69]]

    trafficking, and all terrorist activity, and where expanded trade brings
    growth and opportunity, where peace and freedom know no frontiers.
        Just as I have benefited time and again from her counsel and her
    judgment, the American people will benefit from her leadership and her
    ability to speak to them about the importance of our being strong abroad
    in order to have a strong, good life here at home.
        On their behalf, I ask now that the Vice President swear Madeleine
    Albright into her new office.

    [At this point, Vice President Gore administered the oath of office, and
    Secretary Albright made brief remarks.]

        Q. Madam Secretary, what is your first order of business?
        Secretary Albright. To go over to the State Department and tell them
    all that we have a very important job to do with the hard work of our
    foreign service and civil service who works in the State Department. And
    then I will plan the next steps. But my first goal is really to go and
    work with the excellent people that have provided the backbone of
    America's diplomatic service.
        Q. Madam Secretary, now that you've made history, how else do you
    intend to differ from your predecessor?
        Secretary Albright. I'm basically interested in serving the
    President of the United States and the people of the United States as
    best I can. I'm very proud to be an American. And I hope very much that
    the American people will be proud of me as I perform this service for
    the United States.
        Thank you.
        Q. Are you going to be tough on the new Secretary-General, as you
    were on his predecessor? [Laughter]
        Secretary Albright. I think we are going to meet with the new
    Secretary-General. I'm very pleased, actually, that his--the first
    official trip that--the first visit here that the President is going to
    have after his Inauguration is with the United Nations Secretary-
    General. My first official act will be to meet with the President and
    the new Secretary-General in a little while. And I think that is a very
    good sign of the support that the United States is going to give to the
    United Nations. And as the Vice President said last night, we are
    committed to the United Nations.
        Thank you.
        The President. Thank you.

    Note: The President spoke at 12:18 p.m. in the Oval Office at the White
    House.