Barack Obama 2013-07-01 2 Statement on Senate Confirmation of Samantha Power as United States Permanent Representative to the United Nations August 1, 2013 I'm pleased that the Senate has confirmed Samantha Power as our next U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations by a strong bipartisan majority. As one of our country's leading foreign policy thinkers, Samantha knows that our Nation's interests are advanced with strong and principled American leadership. As a long-time champion of human rights and dignity, she will be a fierce advocate for universal rights, fundamental freedoms, and U.S. national interests. I'm grateful that Samantha will continue to be a vital member of my national security team, and I know that under her leadership, our U.N. Mission in New York will continue to represent American diplomacy at its best.