Face in these halls, having served previously in the bureau of european and canadian affairs. As recently as deputy secretary of state. He is wellknown to the department of state in our career professionals. We are excited to have him as our new secretary of state. This is an unusual event today. Normally this room would be packed with thousands of cheering state Department Employees. I assure you we had to take extraordinary measures in order to keep them away at this time, but dont let that deceive you in anyway, there is enormous enthusiasm on the part of the career professionals who have known and worked with sec. Blinken over the course of his career. He is a man of honor and integrity, vision and character, and he will lead this department and advance the American People with great vigor and great passion. So on behalf of the career professionals of the department of state, Foreign Service, civil service, our locally employed staff around the world, it is my great honor and privilege to present to you the secretary of state, Anthony J Blinken antony j. Blinken. Sec. Blinken thank you for that incredibly warm welcome. More importantly, for serving as acting secretary of state, for leading the transition period at the state department. The department has been in excellent hands with you, and i thank you very much for that. I am honored to begin work as our nations 71st secretary of state. I am excited about all that lies ahead. Its a new day for america, its a new day for the world. And today does feel a little bit like a homecoming. 28 years ago i walked through those doors for the first time to start my job as a special assistance in the front office. A little odd, a little bit intimidated, a legendary institution, and a new culture. It did not take me long to figure out one thing, and that is how long the talent and expertise that presides in this building is so important and so important to listen to the men and women of the state department when thinking about americas place in the world, and our Foreign Policy. Your knowledge, your experience, your generosity was the springboard that brought me and landed me here, today. Two decades later, as a proud husband, i watched my wife lead the bureau of educational cultural affairs, and i gained an even deeper appreciation for how people of different exchanges bring our world closer together, and convey the best of america to the world. Especially to its young people. As deputy secretary of state i learned what it meant to help lead an institution as vital as this one. How to safeguard what makes a great, invest in its future, and leave it just a little bit stronger than when you found it. I take that word very seriously. As secretary, i will not let you down. To all the state Department Employees worldwide, those who exemplify america at its best, i want you to know how proud i am of every single one of you, and how proud i am to be on your team. Whether you are diplomats or development workers, members of the Foreign Service or the civil service, global employed staff, contractors, you do hard things very, very well. These jobs demand sacrifices. They can be dangerous. The names engraved on the walls here in our lobby remind us of that every single day. We honor them by coming to work every day and doing our absolute best for the American People, and for each other. I know the state department that im walking into today is not the same when i left four years ago. A lot has changed, the world has changed, the department has changed, and we need to only look around to see that. I am speaking to a nearly empty lobby. The people who are here are all wearing masks. To date, the pandemic has claimed the lives of five state Department American employees, and 42 locally employed staff around the world. Many more have gotten sick. And outside our doors, our government buildings are surrounded by new barricades. We have never been in a moment quite like this before. The president is committed to getting us through it as quickly as possible, so that very soon we can all gather in person again. And have confidence that the foundations of our democracy are strong. We at the state have a role to play in all of this. I believe it starts by rebuilding morale and trust. This is a priority for me because we need a Strong Department for the United States. To be strong in the world. To that end, we have to invest significantly in building a diverse and inclusive state department. We need the most talented people. We need the most creative workforce. We cannot do our job of advancing americas interests, values without the state department that is truly representative of the American People. I cannot promise that you will support every choice i make as your secretary, but i can promise an open door and an open mind. I will be forthright with you because transparency makes a stronger. I will seek out ascending views and listen descending views and listen to the experts. I will insist that you speak, and speak up without fear or favor. And i will have your back. One of the great attributes of our foreign and civil services, throughout history it has been your nonpartisanship. You serve democratic and republican president s alike because you put country over party. All we ask is that you serve the United States, the constitution, and the president to the best of your ability. I know youll do that. The world is watching us intently right now. They want to know if we can heal our nation. They want to see whether we will lead with the power of our example. It will put a premium on diplomacy of our allied partners. Like the pandemic, climate change, the economic crisis, threats to democracy, fights for racial justice, and the danger to our security and global stability posed by our rivals and adversaries. The American People are watching us. They want to see we are safeguarding their wellbeing, that we care about their interests, that our foreign policies about them in their lives. We will do right by that by pursuing a Foreign Policy that delivers real benefits to american families. Advances their opportunities, honors their values, and leaves their children and grandchildren a healthier and more peaceful world. Weve got our work cut out for us. But i am confident we will succeed. The United States has enormous sources of strength. We will build upon them. Americas values are noble and powerful, and we will recommit to them. Americas leadership is needed around the world. And we will provide it. The world is far more likely to solve problems and meet challenges when the United States is there. America at its best still has a greater capacity than any other name any other nation on earth to mobilize others to the better. State departments will be a part of all of this. I know you are ready. Im i am too. We are in the arena together. We do work that matters. Lets meet this moment, our moment with joy. Thank you for being part of this great endeavor. I am honored to be your secretary. Now let me get to work. Thank you. [applause] by encampment nominees are on capitol hill this week for their confirmation hearings. On thursday at 10 00 a. M. Eastern on cspan, when hearing for two nominees. Marcia fudge for secretary of housing and urban development and cecilia rouse, nominated for chair council of economic advisors. Watch the confirmation hearings live on cspan, on demand at cspan. Org, or listen on the cspan radio app. Coming up tonight on cspan, Energy Secretary nominees Jennifer Granholm testifies at her confirmation hearing. Then President Biden signs executive orders on environmental policy and climate change. After that, the first by an White House Coronavirus response briefing. Theyd are, ramans response later, response by jerome powell. You are watching cspan, your unfiltered view of government. Cspan was created by americas Cable Television company in 1979. Today, brought to you by these Television Companies who provide cspan2 viewers as a public service. Energy secretary nominee and former michigan governor Jennifer Granholm testified at her confirmation hearing. Senars