[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 43, Number 9 (Monday, March 5, 2007)]
[Pages 222-223]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Remarks at a Swearing-In Ceremony for John D. Negroponte as Deputy 
Secretary of State

February 27, 2007

    Thank you, Madam Secretary. Madam Secretary, thanks for the 
introduction. Thanks for the really fine job you're doing.
    I'm pleased to be with you today, and I'm really honored to stand 
with a personal friend and a man I admire a lot, the new Deputy 
Secretary of State, John Negroponte.
    I too welcome John's family--all five of them here, as well as his 
wife, Diana. I appreciate all his friends who have shown up. Thanks for 
coming to pay honor to this good man.
    American diplomacy is really critical to ensuring the safety and the 
security of our citizens. Terrorist enemies follow an ideology of hatred 
and death. In the long run, the only way to defeat them is to offer a 
vision that is hopeful and positive and optimistic. Spreading that 
vision requires strong leadership here at the State Department, and John 
Negroponte has the talent and the experience our Nation needs in a 
Deputy Secretary of State. He's going to do a superb job for the 
American people.
    I appreciate very much Congresswoman Jane Harman for joining us. 
It's a great tribute to a good man. I appreciate the former Deputy 
Secretary of State, Rich Armitage, for being here. I'm honored that 
other members of my administration have come. I want to thank the 
members of the diplomatic corps. I'm proud to see you all here. Thanks 
for coming. Distinguished guests, the folks who serve our Nation here at 
the State Department.
    As the Deputy Secretary of State, John Negroponte is going to play a 
key role, an important role, in shaping our foreign policy. He's going 
to help guide diplomats deployed around the globe. He will act as the 
chief operating officer of the State Department. He will work with 
Secretary Rice and the leaders of other Federal agencies to ensure that 
America speaks with one voice.
    John is uniquely qualified. As America's first Director of National 
Intelligence, John took on one of the most demanding assignments in 
Government. His work was to ensure that all our intelligence agencies 
function as a single, unified enterprise. He handled this vital task 
with skill and determination. His leadership of the intelligence 
community improved our ability to collect, analyze, and share 
intelligence. His vigilance has helped keep the American people safe 
from harm.
    One of my regrets is that, in him coming back to the State 
Department, is, he won't be in the Oval Office every morning to share 
his wisdom with me. And he has plenty of wisdom to share. I strongly 
urge the young Foreign Service officers to get on his calendar so he can 
explain to you how best to do your job. [Laughter] I did the same thing. 
[Laughter]
    As he moves over to the State Department, he knows this building 
really well. As Condi mentioned, he became a Foreign Service officer in 
the administration of Ike. Like, some of you weren't even born then. 
[Laughter] Diana and I were barely born then. [Laughter]
    Over the course of more than four decades, he's held eight Foreign 
Service posts, three different continents. He served as the Deputy 
National Security Adviser to President Ronald Reagan. He represented 
America at the United Nations during my administration. He was our first 
Ambassador to a free Iraq. In these and other posts, he has shown 
diplomatic skill and devotion to our country. He really has set a great 
example for the people who work here.

[[Page 223]]

    Over the past 6 years, I know him to be a man of vision and 
character. He understands the importance of fighting the extremists with 
all elements of national power. He is a good negotiator. It doesn't hurt 
that he can play a mean game of poker. [Laughter] As one of our 
Nation's--as our Nation's second-ranking diplomat, he's going to be a 
strong and confident advocate for our interests and, equally 
importantly, our ideals around the world.
    John is going to build upon the work done by his predecessor, Bob 
Zoellick. Bob helped lead the State Department during a challenging time 
for our Nation. He upheld the high standards and the proud tradition of 
this Department. I appreciate his dedicated service.
    As John takes up his duties, he's going to benefit from the talent 
and professionalism of the men and women in our foreign and civil 
service, folks who serve in this building and in our Embassies around 
the world. The work done here and the work done abroad helps sustain 
America's position; it fosters freedom and helps advance the cause of 
peace.
    I want to thank you for your willingness to serve our country. I 
appreciate the sacrifices you make on behalf of the American people.
    You're going to have a fine leader in John Negroponte. One thing is 
for certain: He knows we live in challenging times; we live in dangerous 
times. He also knows that this is a moment of great hope and 
opportunity. John's broad experience and sound judgment and unquestioned 
integrity will make him an outstanding Deputy Secretary of State.
    And so, John, I thank you once again for agreeing to serve our 
Nation. Congratulations.
    And now Secretary Rice will administer the oath.

Note: The President spoke at 10:27 a.m. at the U.S. Department of State. 
In his remarks, he referred to former Deputy Secretary of State Robert 
B. Zoellick. The transcript released by the Office of the Press 
Secretary also included the remarks of Deputy Secretary Negroponte.