1
00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:01,570
(applause)
2
00:00:01,567 --> 00:00:07,437
The Vice President:
Teresa and John, it's truly an
honor for Jill and I to be able
3
00:00:07,433 --> 00:00:09,763
to be here with you today.
4
00:00:09,767 --> 00:00:12,697
John has been my friend
like many of you for a
5
00:00:12,700 --> 00:00:14,570
long, long time.
6
00:00:14,567 --> 00:00:18,537
And to have the opportunity to
re-enact the oath of office is
7
00:00:18,533 --> 00:00:21,663
-- is a great pleasure.
8
00:00:21,667 --> 00:00:26,497
You know, it's not the first
time John has taken an oath.
9
00:00:26,500 --> 00:00:31,770
The first time John took the
oath to his country was in 1966
10
00:00:31,767 --> 00:00:33,967
as a young naval officer.
11
00:00:33,967 --> 00:00:38,137
On that day in '66, he
swore an oath to our nation,
12
00:00:38,133 --> 00:00:41,933
and oath that has
animated his entire life,
13
00:00:41,934 --> 00:00:45,134
from the Mekong Delta to the
Foreign Relations Committee,
14
00:00:45,133 --> 00:00:50,163
to be standing here with all
of you in this room today.
15
00:00:50,166 --> 00:00:55,536
One of our mutual heroes,
Bobby Kennedy, once said,
16
00:00:55,533 --> 00:00:59,203
moral courage is a rare
commodity than bravery in the
17
00:00:59,200 --> 00:01:01,870
battlefield of
great intelligence,
18
00:01:01,867 --> 00:01:07,037
yet it is the one essential
vital quality of those who seek
19
00:01:07,033 --> 00:01:09,603
to change the world.
20
00:01:09,600 --> 00:01:12,000
John, without even knowing it
from the very beginning has
21
00:01:12,000 --> 00:01:14,430
sought to change the world.
22
00:01:14,433 --> 00:01:18,733
He has demonstrated both
his physical courage on the
23
00:01:18,734 --> 00:01:22,004
battlefield defending
his country,
24
00:01:22,000 --> 00:01:26,570
and his moral courage from the
time he was a 27-year-old kid,
25
00:01:26,567 --> 00:01:28,597
and a guy like me in
Wilmington, Delaware,
26
00:01:28,600 --> 00:01:32,570
watched him in awe as he
sat before Chairman William
27
00:01:32,567 --> 00:01:35,667
Fulbright -- a man who I
got to serve with two years,
28
00:01:35,667 --> 00:01:38,467
short years, later --
or four years later --
29
00:01:38,467 --> 00:01:42,267
and the entire Senate
Foreign Relations Committee.
30
00:01:42,266 --> 00:01:48,596
To this day John has always
consistently spoken truth
31
00:01:48,600 --> 00:01:49,600
to power.
32
00:01:49,600 --> 00:01:53,300
It's one of the
reasons why I love him.
33
00:01:53,300 --> 00:01:57,730
That's why we've been -- I've
been such an incredibly strong
34
00:01:57,734 --> 00:01:59,534
supporter of John's,
like many of you,
35
00:01:59,533 --> 00:02:04,463
and that's why I think it's the
right time for him to take over
36
00:02:04,467 --> 00:02:07,267
the reins of the
State Department.
37
00:02:07,266 --> 00:02:11,036
An increasingly complex world
that we find ourselves in
38
00:02:11,033 --> 00:02:15,503
requires American leadership,
and a leadership that has never
39
00:02:15,500 --> 00:02:18,070
been more important than now.
40
00:02:18,066 --> 00:02:22,066
We're in the process of turning
the page on more than a decade
41
00:02:22,066 --> 00:02:26,166
of conflict, commencing
with September 11th, 2001,
42
00:02:26,166 --> 00:02:28,166
attack on America.
43
00:02:28,166 --> 00:02:31,036
We -- with John's help as
the chairman of the Foreign
44
00:02:31,033 --> 00:02:35,163
Relations Committee -- we ended
the war in Iraq responsibly;
45
00:02:35,166 --> 00:02:38,366
I might add Dick Lugar, as well.
46
00:02:38,367 --> 00:02:40,937
We responsibly are drawing
down in Afghanistan,
47
00:02:40,934 --> 00:02:44,704
and by the end of the next
year, the transition to Afghan
48
00:02:44,700 --> 00:02:47,470
responsibility will be complete.
49
00:02:47,467 --> 00:02:49,397
We're revitalizing
our alliances,
50
00:02:49,400 --> 00:02:53,570
including those of our oldest
and closest partners in Europe,
51
00:02:53,567 --> 00:02:58,037
and we're rebalancing to ensure
that we prioritize engagements
52
00:02:58,033 --> 00:03:02,933
with allies, partners and
emerging powers in Asia because
53
00:03:02,934 --> 00:03:05,804
we are a Pacific power.
54
00:03:05,800 --> 00:03:08,400
And we continue to tackle the
challenges in the Middle East,
55
00:03:08,400 --> 00:03:12,670
including Iran, North Africa and
Syria, and the peace process,
56
00:03:12,667 --> 00:03:15,037
God willing, with
John at the helm,
57
00:03:15,033 --> 00:03:18,033
between the Israelis
and the Palestinians.
58
00:03:18,033 --> 00:03:23,533
Facing those challenges takes a
person not only of courage but
59
00:03:23,533 --> 00:03:25,633
of considerable vision.
60
00:03:25,633 --> 00:03:29,063
It takes a person with a
keen understanding of the
61
00:03:29,066 --> 00:03:34,696
complexities of this world, an
instinctive knowledge of what
62
00:03:34,700 --> 00:03:39,700
America's interests are, and
the experience to know that big
63
00:03:39,700 --> 00:03:42,330
nations can't bluff.
64
00:03:42,333 --> 00:03:45,933
It takes a person who knows
that negotiations are always
65
00:03:45,934 --> 00:03:50,464
preferable to war, but sometimes
nations are offered no
66
00:03:50,467 --> 00:03:52,567
real choice.
67
00:03:52,567 --> 00:03:55,467
I have great confidence
-- and as some of you know,
68
00:03:55,467 --> 00:03:56,997
I've been pushing this
for a long time --
69
00:03:57,000 --> 00:03:58,400
I have great confidence --
70
00:03:58,400 --> 00:03:59,370
(laughter)
71
00:03:59,367 --> 00:04:02,137
-- great confidence
in -- that John,
72
00:04:02,133 --> 00:04:06,463
working with our new
Secretary of Defense, to be --
73
00:04:06,467 --> 00:04:10,967
to occur shortly, with our
CIA director, our DNI --
74
00:04:10,967 --> 00:04:13,767
I'm absolute confidence that
John will do something --
75
00:04:13,767 --> 00:04:15,337
and the eight presidents
I've worked --
76
00:04:15,333 --> 00:04:18,803
I think is the single most
important thing a man or woman
77
00:04:18,800 --> 00:04:21,970
can do when invited
into the Oval Office --
78
00:04:21,967 --> 00:04:25,697
give the President his
unvarnished opinion,
79
00:04:25,700 --> 00:04:30,700
his unvarnished opinion of what
he thinks is the course of
80
00:04:30,700 --> 00:04:34,200
action that should be taken,
unvarnished recommendations
81
00:04:34,200 --> 00:04:38,130
based on, in John's case, a
clear understanding of where
82
00:04:38,133 --> 00:04:40,663
America's interests lie.
83
00:04:40,667 --> 00:04:43,937
John and I have been
friends since 1972.
84
00:04:43,934 --> 00:04:45,104
He was running for Congress.
85
00:04:45,100 --> 00:04:46,200
I was running for the Senate.
86
00:04:46,200 --> 00:04:49,430
And a mutual friend, someone
we both admire incredibly --
87
00:04:49,433 --> 00:04:52,603
you see him out here --
John Marttila was managing
88
00:04:52,600 --> 00:04:54,470
essentially both
of our campaigns.
89
00:04:54,467 --> 00:04:58,597
(cheers and applause)
90
00:04:58,600 --> 00:05:00,430
I'm reminded of this, John.
91
00:05:00,433 --> 00:05:05,103
And John Kerry to this day
insists that the reason I won in
92
00:05:05,100 --> 00:05:09,230
'72 and he lost is because John
Marttila spent more time in
93
00:05:09,233 --> 00:05:10,163
my campaign.
94
00:05:10,166 --> 00:05:11,396
(laughter)
95
00:05:11,400 --> 00:05:12,870
Well, that's absolutely true.
96
00:05:12,867 --> 00:05:13,967
(laughter)
97
00:05:13,967 --> 00:05:16,797
But the reason is he was
absolutely convinced I needed
98
00:05:16,800 --> 00:05:19,000
considerably more
help than John needed.
99
00:05:19,000 --> 00:05:21,470
(laughter)
100
00:05:21,467 --> 00:05:25,767
John Marttila remains a lifelong
friend of both of us because
101
00:05:25,767 --> 00:05:28,167
he's of absolute integrity.
102
00:05:28,166 --> 00:05:36,796
To this day I think that John
Kerry and I both understand that
103
00:05:36,800 --> 00:05:40,430
the single most important
commodity you bring into public
104
00:05:40,433 --> 00:05:45,633
life is your integrity,
your word, your honor.
105
00:05:45,633 --> 00:05:48,563
And I know of few men and women
that I've ever worked with that
106
00:05:48,567 --> 00:05:53,667
have more integrity, more honor
than my friend the soon-to-be
107
00:05:53,667 --> 00:05:55,337
secretary of state.
108
00:05:55,333 --> 00:05:58,403
When I say "friend,"
I mean friend.
109
00:05:58,400 --> 00:06:01,430
We use that word awfully
lightly in Washington,
110
00:06:01,433 --> 00:06:04,503
but John is my friend.
111
00:06:04,500 --> 00:06:08,770
I have one great regret as I
look out and see some of you I'm
112
00:06:08,767 --> 00:06:11,837
sure share that regret:
that I didn't get --
113
00:06:11,834 --> 00:06:15,334
get the opportunity standing
next to John when he was being
114
00:06:15,333 --> 00:06:19,163
sworn in as President of the
United States of America.
115
00:06:19,166 --> 00:06:20,796
How different the world --
116
00:06:20,800 --> 00:06:26,770
(applause)
117
00:06:26,767 --> 00:06:30,697
-- in my -- in my
present opinion,
118
00:06:30,700 --> 00:06:34,930
how different the world might
be today had that occurred.
119
00:06:34,934 --> 00:06:35,934
And who in the hell knows?
120
00:06:35,934 --> 00:06:37,834
Maybe 10, 12 years ago, I
would have been standing
121
00:06:37,834 --> 00:06:38,864
where John is.
122
00:06:38,867 --> 00:06:40,637
(laughter)
123
00:06:40,633 --> 00:06:43,303
I -- I -- I might have been
able to get a real job.
124
00:06:43,300 --> 00:06:45,730
(laughter)
125
00:06:45,734 --> 00:06:51,564
But seriously, John, it's
-- it's now your time.
126
00:06:51,567 --> 00:06:53,097
It's John Kerry's time again.
127
00:06:53,100 --> 00:07:00,230
In this moment in -- as I said,
in the history of our country
128
00:07:00,233 --> 00:07:02,833
and the management of
our foreign policy,
129
00:07:02,834 --> 00:07:06,704
I can honestly think of no man
or woman whose hands I'd rather
130
00:07:06,700 --> 00:07:10,100
that responsible be in --
responsibility be in than --
131
00:07:10,100 --> 00:07:11,700
than John Kerry.
132
00:07:11,700 --> 00:07:14,870
Now, John, I know we're doing
this a second time to make sure
133
00:07:14,867 --> 00:07:16,097
it's really official --
134
00:07:16,100 --> 00:07:17,300
(laughter)
135
00:07:17,300 --> 00:07:19,500
-- but what I'd like to
do, if you'd come forward,
136
00:07:19,500 --> 00:07:21,570
and I guess -- Teresa,
is there a Bible?
137
00:07:21,567 --> 00:07:27,437
And Teresa's going
to hold the Bible.
138
00:07:27,433 --> 00:07:31,203
I'd like to ceremonially
swear you in with your --
139
00:07:31,200 --> 00:07:41,530
with your family standing beside
you, including your grandson.
140
00:07:41,533 --> 00:07:44,403
If you place your hand on the
Bible and raise your right hand
141
00:07:44,400 --> 00:07:47,200
and repeat after me: I
-- state your name --
142
00:07:47,200 --> 00:07:48,370
Secretary Kerry:
I, John F. Kerry --
143
00:07:48,367 --> 00:07:49,937
The Vice President:
-- do solemnly swear --
144
00:07:49,934 --> 00:07:51,134
Secretary Kerry:
-- do solemnly swear --
145
00:07:51,133 --> 00:07:53,463
The Vice President:
-- that I will support and
defend the Constitution of the
146
00:07:53,467 --> 00:07:54,537
United States --
147
00:07:54,533 --> 00:07:56,733
Secretary Kerry:
-- that I will support and
defend the Constitution of the
148
00:07:56,734 --> 00:07:57,834
United States --
149
00:07:57,834 --> 00:08:00,534
The Vice President:
-- against all enemies,
foreign and domestic --
150
00:08:00,533 --> 00:08:03,103
Secretary Kerry:
-- against all enemies,
foreign and domestic --
151
00:08:03,100 --> 00:08:06,030
The Vice President:
-- that I bear true faith
and allegiance to the same --
152
00:08:06,033 --> 00:08:08,863
Secretary Kerry:
-- that I bear true faith
and allegiance to the same --
153
00:08:08,867 --> 00:08:10,897
The Vice President:
-- that I take this
obligation freely --
154
00:08:10,900 --> 00:08:13,330
Secretary Kerry:
-- that I take this
obligation freely --
155
00:08:13,333 --> 00:08:15,933
The Vice President:
-- without any mental
reservation or purpose
156
00:08:15,934 --> 00:08:16,904
of evasion --
157
00:08:16,900 --> 00:08:19,100
Secretary Kerry:
-- without any mental
reservation or purpose
158
00:08:19,100 --> 00:08:20,100
of evasion --
159
00:08:20,100 --> 00:08:23,400
The Vice President:
-- and that I will well
and faithfully discharge --
160
00:08:23,400 --> 00:08:25,670
Secretary Kerry:
-- and that I will well
and faithfully discharge --
161
00:08:25,667 --> 00:08:27,967
The Vice President:
-- the duties of the
office which I'm --
162
00:08:27,967 --> 00:08:29,697
on which I am about to enter --
163
00:08:29,700 --> 00:08:32,400
Secretary Kerry:
-- the duties of the office on
which I am about to enter --
164
00:08:32,400 --> 00:08:33,600
The Vice President:
-- so help me God.
165
00:08:33,600 --> 00:08:35,670
Secretary Kerry:
-- so help me God.
166
00:08:35,667 --> 00:08:38,537
(cheers and applause)
167
00:08:38,533 --> 00:08:44,003
The Vice President:
(inaudible)
168
00:08:44,000 --> 00:09:01,100
(cheers and applause)
169
00:09:01,100 --> 00:09:03,500
Secretary Kerry:
Thank you.
170
00:09:03,500 --> 00:09:05,230
Thank you.
171
00:09:05,233 --> 00:09:06,333
Thank you.
172
00:09:06,333 --> 00:09:08,733
(applause)
173
00:09:08,734 --> 00:09:09,634
Thank you.
174
00:09:09,633 --> 00:09:15,303
(applause)
175
00:09:15,300 --> 00:09:19,970
Mr. Vice President, thank you
for unbelievably generous,
176
00:09:19,967 --> 00:09:27,597
warm oath of office and
your comments before them.
177
00:09:27,600 --> 00:09:29,070
I want to share with
all of you that as a
178
00:09:29,066 --> 00:09:30,896
recovering politician --
179
00:09:30,900 --> 00:09:33,070
(laughter)
180
00:09:33,066 --> 00:09:35,266
-- I've grown used
to being sworn at;
181
00:09:35,266 --> 00:09:36,966
it's really nice to be sworn in.
182
00:09:36,967 --> 00:09:43,337
(laughter and applause)
183
00:09:43,333 --> 00:09:45,363
I will say more about the
Vice President in a moment,
184
00:09:45,367 --> 00:09:50,337
but I want to say thank you to
my colleagues from the Senate,
185
00:09:50,333 --> 00:09:52,063
past and present,
who are here today.
186
00:09:52,066 --> 00:09:54,766
I am so honored by their
presence: Senator Lugar,
187
00:09:54,767 --> 00:09:58,337
who was my chairman and ranking
member for so long and kept that
188
00:09:58,333 --> 00:10:01,203
committee rolling.
189
00:10:01,200 --> 00:10:02,300
Thank you, sir, for your
service and -- (inaudible) --
190
00:10:02,300 --> 00:10:07,630
(cheers and applause)
191
00:10:07,633 --> 00:10:10,903
-- John McCain, who was a part
of a very special journey to try
192
00:10:10,900 --> 00:10:13,800
to make peace with
Vietnam, which we did,
193
00:10:13,800 --> 00:10:17,000
and it's such an honor to travel
with him and be part of his
194
00:10:17,000 --> 00:10:19,130
life, and I appreciate (inaudible) --
195
00:10:19,133 --> 00:10:23,403
(applause)
196
00:10:23,400 --> 00:10:28,200
-- and Tom Harkin and
John Breaux, Barbara Boxer,
197
00:10:28,200 --> 00:10:32,870
Max Cleland, my brother in arms
who has traveled with me in many
198
00:10:32,867 --> 00:10:38,467
parts of this journey, Bob
Corker, Sheldon Whitehouse,
199
00:10:38,467 --> 00:10:42,237
Jeanne Shaheen, Chris
Coons, Rob Portman,
200
00:10:42,233 --> 00:10:45,133
who I've grown to really get to
know pretty well in the Senate,
201
00:10:45,133 --> 00:10:47,503
and he's a man who dares
to cross the aisle and make
202
00:10:47,500 --> 00:10:48,330
things happen.
203
00:10:48,333 --> 00:10:49,803
I'm grateful for that.
204
00:10:49,800 --> 00:10:51,970
And Tim Kaine and
Elizabeth Warren,
205
00:10:51,967 --> 00:10:54,437
two people I won't get to
serve with as a senator,
206
00:10:54,433 --> 00:10:56,533
but I'm so happy you're
on the committee,
207
00:10:56,533 --> 00:10:58,963
and you're part of the
team in that sense.
208
00:10:58,967 --> 00:11:03,467
And I want to likewise welcome
my colleagues from the House.
209
00:11:03,467 --> 00:11:06,397
I'm particularly grateful
for Bill Delahunt,
210
00:11:06,400 --> 00:11:10,300
a longtime friend, for
being here, and Ed Markey,
211
00:11:10,300 --> 00:11:13,930
Bill Keating and Joe
Kennedy, three --
212
00:11:13,934 --> 00:11:15,904
and you honor me by being here.
213
00:11:15,900 --> 00:11:16,900
Thank you.
214
00:11:16,900 --> 00:11:21,370
Also want to thank my friend
Tom Donilon for being here.
215
00:11:21,367 --> 00:11:24,897
He's a great steward
of our foreign policy,
216
00:11:24,900 --> 00:11:28,600
and together with Tony
Blinken, his new deputy,
217
00:11:28,600 --> 00:11:30,730
these are people I have had
the privilege of working with
218
00:11:30,734 --> 00:11:35,564
before, and I am so confident
about where we're heading in
219
00:11:35,567 --> 00:11:36,567
this partnership.
220
00:11:36,567 --> 00:11:38,237
And I'm grateful to you for
coming over here and being
221
00:11:38,233 --> 00:11:39,333
part of this.
222
00:11:39,333 --> 00:11:43,863
And a bunch of former staffers
who are all working at the
223
00:11:43,867 --> 00:11:44,767
White House now --
224
00:11:44,767 --> 00:11:45,837
(laughter)
225
00:11:45,834 --> 00:11:47,864
-- for a fellow called the
President of the United States.
226
00:11:47,867 --> 00:11:51,437
But I'm truly proud of
them and grateful for their
227
00:11:51,433 --> 00:11:54,303
enduring friendship.
228
00:11:54,300 --> 00:11:58,670
Over the last few days --
oh, one other person I want
229
00:11:58,667 --> 00:11:59,667
to mention.
230
00:11:59,667 --> 00:12:02,697
I didn't know for sure
he was going to be here.
231
00:12:02,700 --> 00:12:08,100
We were on the same soccer team,
hockey team, lacrosse team.
232
00:12:08,100 --> 00:12:11,630
He was the captain of a bunch
of them, an incredible athlete,
233
00:12:11,633 --> 00:12:14,063
United States Marine
Corps veteran, decorated,
234
00:12:14,066 --> 00:12:15,336
from Vietnam.
235
00:12:15,333 --> 00:12:19,503
And he has served with such
incredible distinction as the
236
00:12:19,500 --> 00:12:21,230
head of the FBI.
237
00:12:21,233 --> 00:12:22,233
And Bobby, thank you.
238
00:12:22,233 --> 00:12:23,063
Bobby Mueller.
239
00:12:23,066 --> 00:12:24,136
Thanks for coming.
240
00:12:24,133 --> 00:12:31,733
(applause)
241
00:12:31,734 --> 00:12:33,934
He used to kick my butt
in all three sports.
242
00:12:33,934 --> 00:12:37,634
(laughter)
243
00:12:37,633 --> 00:12:42,233
Over the last few days, I've had
the privilege of meeting with a
244
00:12:42,233 --> 00:12:46,803
number of Thomas Jefferson's
successors: Secretary Clinton,
245
00:12:46,800 --> 00:12:50,330
who has been so generous in
welcoming me here and helping to
246
00:12:50,333 --> 00:12:56,433
create a seamless
transition; Secretary Rice,
247
00:12:56,433 --> 00:12:58,133
Secretary Powell,
Secretary Baker,
248
00:12:58,133 --> 00:13:01,203
who visited with me here
yesterday; Secretary Shultz,
249
00:13:01,200 --> 00:13:03,900
who I had a great
luncheon with on Saturday;
250
00:13:03,900 --> 00:13:06,730
and Secretary Kissinger, who has
spent a number of hours with me,
251
00:13:06,734 --> 00:13:10,064
and who wrote a note today
he's away, out of country.
252
00:13:10,066 --> 00:13:14,666
But I'm delighted to
have their counsel,
253
00:13:14,667 --> 00:13:18,237
and I've learned quickly how
available and ready they all are
254
00:13:18,233 --> 00:13:21,033
to help to continue to
steer the ship of state.
255
00:13:21,033 --> 00:13:24,033
It's a wonderful thing
about this particular office
256
00:13:24,033 --> 00:13:25,333
in this place.
257
00:13:25,333 --> 00:13:28,663
And I'm so honored that
my friend former Secretary
258
00:13:28,667 --> 00:13:30,837
Madeleine Albright is
able to be here today.
259
00:13:30,834 --> 00:13:34,504
Will you join me in welcoming
her and saying thank you to all
260
00:13:34,500 --> 00:13:36,100
of the Secretaries of State.
261
00:13:36,100 --> 00:13:37,000
Thank you.
262
00:13:37,000 --> 00:13:44,930
(applause)
263
00:13:44,934 --> 00:13:45,934
Thank you.
264
00:13:45,934 --> 00:13:49,834
And I'm very, very grateful
to deputy secretaries of this
265
00:13:49,834 --> 00:13:55,604
department, Bill Burns, one of
our great veterans of diplomacy;
266
00:13:55,600 --> 00:13:58,800
and Deputy Secretary Tom Nides,
who's done an extraordinary job.
267
00:13:58,800 --> 00:14:01,630
Together they've been
one heck of a team.
268
00:14:01,633 --> 00:14:04,103
And I want to thank them for
their warm welcome to this
269
00:14:04,100 --> 00:14:06,970
department, their wise counsel.
270
00:14:06,967 --> 00:14:09,737
And I thank the many
undersecretaries and assistant
271
00:14:09,734 --> 00:14:12,434
secretaries who are here
and who've been part of my
272
00:14:12,433 --> 00:14:13,603
early meetings.
273
00:14:13,600 --> 00:14:17,230
I think we've had a --
three days now of some
274
00:14:17,233 --> 00:14:18,233
terrific meetings.
275
00:14:18,233 --> 00:14:21,363
And I want you to know, I
consider myself lucky to be
276
00:14:21,367 --> 00:14:22,537
on your team.
277
00:14:22,533 --> 00:14:24,203
Thank you for all that you do.
278
00:14:24,200 --> 00:14:31,270
(applause)
279
00:14:31,266 --> 00:14:35,266
Also -- last, I just -- I want
to welcome some of my crew
280
00:14:35,266 --> 00:14:39,036
members who are here, the guys
who served on boats with me
281
00:14:39,033 --> 00:14:40,703
in Vietnam.
282
00:14:40,700 --> 00:14:44,670
These are men who lived and
know the truth of our service,
283
00:14:44,667 --> 00:14:48,397
and they honor me today with
their presence just as they did
284
00:14:48,400 --> 00:14:51,000
with their patriotism
four decades ago.
285
00:14:51,000 --> 00:14:53,100
I'm grateful, wherever they are.
286
00:14:53,100 --> 00:14:59,570
(applause)
287
00:14:59,567 --> 00:15:04,067
Finally -- and finally, I
want to thank my family.
288
00:15:04,066 --> 00:15:08,696
They have been the
enduring supporters of the
289
00:15:08,700 --> 00:15:10,930
extraordinary journey.
290
00:15:10,934 --> 00:15:13,364
All of them, brothers,
sisters, cousins,
291
00:15:13,367 --> 00:15:16,137
there are a lot of them here --
and it's only a small percentage
292
00:15:16,133 --> 00:15:17,003
that are here --
293
00:15:17,000 --> 00:15:17,800
(laughter)
294
00:15:17,800 --> 00:15:20,670
-- and my incredible
wife, Teresa Heinz Kerry,
295
00:15:20,667 --> 00:15:22,737
who (inaudible).
296
00:15:22,734 --> 00:15:30,164
(applause)
297
00:15:30,166 --> 00:15:34,136
Now, I said the other day in
the hearings a few weeks ago --
298
00:15:34,133 --> 00:15:37,733
and I said that my approach to
the role of secretary of state
299
00:15:37,734 --> 00:15:41,564
would be deeply informed that
my 28 years-plus that I spent on
300
00:15:41,567 --> 00:15:43,667
the Senate Foreign
Relations Committee,
301
00:15:43,667 --> 00:15:46,237
the only committee that I was on
from the day that I got to the
302
00:15:46,233 --> 00:15:48,403
Senate till the I left.
303
00:15:48,400 --> 00:15:53,770
I spent most of the time sitting
a few seats down from the then-
304
00:15:53,767 --> 00:16:00,267
chairman, Biden, learning
from him the full benefits
305
00:16:00,266 --> 00:16:01,266
of seniority.
306
00:16:01,266 --> 00:16:04,396
(laughter)
307
00:16:04,400 --> 00:16:10,330
And in fact, Chris Dodd is here,
and Chris will tell you that it
308
00:16:10,333 --> 00:16:14,463
was Biden, Sarbanes,
Dodd and Kerry,
309
00:16:14,467 --> 00:16:16,967
and Chris and I used to
nudge each other and say,
310
00:16:16,967 --> 00:16:18,697
we're never going to be
chairman of this committee.
311
00:16:18,700 --> 00:16:19,930
(laughter)
312
00:16:19,934 --> 00:16:25,064
And then boom, all of a
sudden, things change.
313
00:16:25,066 --> 00:16:31,666
I -- six years ago Joe Biden,
Vice President Biden and I,
314
00:16:31,667 --> 00:16:34,267
found ourselves sitting on the
same committee with a young
315
00:16:34,266 --> 00:16:38,166
senator by the name of Barack
Obama and another fellow by the
316
00:16:38,166 --> 00:16:40,166
name of Chuck Hagel.
317
00:16:40,166 --> 00:16:43,166
So for all of you senators from
the Foreign Relations Committee
318
00:16:43,166 --> 00:16:44,936
here today, stay
right where you are.
319
00:16:44,934 --> 00:16:46,504
(laughter)
320
00:16:46,500 --> 00:16:48,570
All the good spots are taken.
321
00:16:48,567 --> 00:16:50,937
(laughter)
322
00:16:50,934 --> 00:16:54,434
Mr. Vice President, I really
am glad that you're here.
323
00:16:54,433 --> 00:16:55,933
I'm proud that you're here.
324
00:16:55,934 --> 00:16:57,904
I'm grateful that you're
here to swear me in.
325
00:16:57,900 --> 00:17:01,300
And Dr. Jill Biden, thank
you for coming with him.
326
00:17:01,300 --> 00:17:05,900
It is special to have you and
to have Hunter here, your son,
327
00:17:05,900 --> 00:17:08,570
who's a good friend
of our family.
328
00:17:08,567 --> 00:17:12,797
I know you just landed a few
hours ago from your trip to
329
00:17:12,800 --> 00:17:15,230
Germany, France and
the United Kingdom.
330
00:17:15,233 --> 00:17:19,203
I welcome you home, and I hope
you left me with a full tank.
331
00:17:19,200 --> 00:17:23,770
(laughter)
332
00:17:23,767 --> 00:17:25,967
As the Vice President
mentioned a few minutes ago,
333
00:17:25,967 --> 00:17:29,737
he got to the
Senate ahead of me.
334
00:17:29,734 --> 00:17:33,004
The pundits that year that you
referred to, Mr. Vice President,
335
00:17:33,000 --> 00:17:36,100
were predicting that I would
win and you would lose.
336
00:17:36,100 --> 00:17:37,900
And it was exactly
the other way around.
337
00:17:37,900 --> 00:17:40,870
So once again, the pundits
were zero for two, folks,
338
00:17:40,867 --> 00:17:42,797
which is not unusual.
339
00:17:42,800 --> 00:17:46,430
But I got -- when I
finally got to the Senate,
340
00:17:46,433 --> 00:17:51,063
I got to see our Vice
President as a legislator.
341
00:17:51,066 --> 00:17:56,536
And I saw him with the
-- with the prescience,
342
00:17:56,533 --> 00:18:00,863
the vision that he had, to be
way ahead of everybody on the
343
00:18:00,867 --> 00:18:03,697
subject of the
genocide in Kosovo,
344
00:18:03,700 --> 00:18:08,670
way ahead of everybody on
crime in America and exerting
345
00:18:08,667 --> 00:18:13,067
leadership to put police in our
streets and change that curve.
346
00:18:13,066 --> 00:18:17,196
I saw the respect that he
commanded from our colleagues.
347
00:18:17,200 --> 00:18:21,200
And now, as our Vice President,
Joe Biden has written a new
348
00:18:21,200 --> 00:18:28,170
chapter as the President's
closest adviser and, I think,
349
00:18:28,166 --> 00:18:31,896
proving a new kind of
partnership in President and
350
00:18:31,900 --> 00:18:34,700
Vice President in the conduct
of our foreign policy.
351
00:18:34,700 --> 00:18:39,830
The Vice President lives by
a very old-fashioned code
352
00:18:39,834 --> 00:18:41,534
of loyalty.
353
00:18:41,533 --> 00:18:44,103
He talked about it a little
bit in introducing me.
354
00:18:44,100 --> 00:18:47,700
You always tell the truth, you
never forget where you came
355
00:18:47,700 --> 00:18:51,700
from, and your
word is your bond.
356
00:18:51,700 --> 00:18:54,300
And I can't tell you how
many times in the Senate,
357
00:18:54,300 --> 00:18:57,300
when I was listening to
Joe negotiate or working on
358
00:18:57,300 --> 00:19:02,800
something, he would say, I
give you my word as a Biden,
359
00:19:02,800 --> 00:19:07,770
and you knew you had a
very special commitment.
360
00:19:07,767 --> 00:19:11,237
We still joke about a trip that
we took with Chuck Hagel to
361
00:19:11,233 --> 00:19:15,663
Afghanistan, and we went up to
a forward operating base up in
362
00:19:15,667 --> 00:19:17,537
Kunar province.
363
00:19:17,533 --> 00:19:19,233
And our helicopter,
on the way back,
364
00:19:19,233 --> 00:19:23,863
got caught in a snow squall in
the mountains, and our pilot --
365
00:19:23,867 --> 00:19:25,537
literally, everything
went blind,
366
00:19:25,533 --> 00:19:30,363
and suddenly we were banking and
heading down and braced for an
367
00:19:30,367 --> 00:19:33,297
emergency landing on the
snow-covered road high in the
368
00:19:33,300 --> 00:19:35,970
mountains near Bagram Air Base.
369
00:19:35,967 --> 00:19:38,067
And the Vice President
turned to Hagel and me,
370
00:19:38,066 --> 00:19:39,436
and he offered an alternative.
371
00:19:39,433 --> 00:19:42,663
He said, maybe we could keep the
helicopter aloft if the three of
372
00:19:42,667 --> 00:19:44,167
us just started
to give a speech.
373
00:19:44,166 --> 00:19:50,566
(laughter)
374
00:19:50,567 --> 00:19:59,437
So I want to thank President
Obama for the faith that he has
375
00:19:59,433 --> 00:20:02,803
placed in me and for the
leadership that he has
376
00:20:02,800 --> 00:20:03,800
offered the world.
377
00:20:03,800 --> 00:20:08,000
I will tell you, my friends --
and I think the Vice President
378
00:20:08,000 --> 00:20:12,900
hears this too -- President
Obama has restored America's
379
00:20:12,900 --> 00:20:16,030
place and our reputation
in the world, and we are
380
00:20:16,033 --> 00:20:17,103
grateful (inaudible).
381
00:20:17,100 --> 00:20:26,830
(cheers and applause)
382
00:20:26,834 --> 00:20:30,464
I want to thank Secretary
Clinton for the unbelievably
383
00:20:30,467 --> 00:20:33,697
high standard of
energy, commitment,
384
00:20:33,700 --> 00:20:37,800
vision that she set in her
terrific stewardship of the
385
00:20:37,800 --> 00:20:39,370
State Department.
386
00:20:39,367 --> 00:20:43,997
I am proud not only as her
successor but as a citizen to
387
00:20:44,000 --> 00:20:46,800
have been represented by her,
as I think all of you are,
388
00:20:46,800 --> 00:20:48,830
in the way that she traveled
the world and carried
389
00:20:48,834 --> 00:20:50,534
America's banner.
390
00:20:50,533 --> 00:20:53,403
We thank her for a
job superbly done.
391
00:20:53,400 --> 00:21:00,130
(applause)
392
00:21:00,133 --> 00:21:01,133
I --
393
00:21:01,133 --> 00:21:04,803
(applause)
394
00:21:04,800 --> 00:21:08,400
Thank you, all of you, for
being here to celebrate this
395
00:21:08,400 --> 00:21:11,070
moment together.
396
00:21:11,066 --> 00:21:13,996
I thank you for your
faith and your friendship,
397
00:21:14,000 --> 00:21:17,300
for being part of this
incredible gathering in this
398
00:21:17,300 --> 00:21:21,400
magnificent room named for Ben
Franklin, who, incidentally,
399
00:21:21,400 --> 00:21:24,370
was not only the father of
the American foreign service,
400
00:21:24,367 --> 00:21:27,597
but he was America's greatest
expert on electricity,
401
00:21:27,600 --> 00:21:30,000
and they could have used him
at the Super Bowl last weekend.
402
00:21:30,000 --> 00:21:33,670
(laughter)
403
00:21:33,667 --> 00:21:38,537
But a serious note: This room --
I think Secretary Albright was
404
00:21:38,533 --> 00:21:42,663
saying to me in the room back
there before we came out how you
405
00:21:42,667 --> 00:21:46,567
sort of approach this building,
and you have no idea it's a
406
00:21:46,567 --> 00:21:50,137
1950s kind of block building,
and you come into this
407
00:21:50,133 --> 00:21:54,803
unbelievable room and these
diplomatic surroundings.
408
00:21:54,800 --> 00:21:59,400
This room and the treasures that
decorate it are a tribute to the
409
00:21:59,400 --> 00:22:03,670
names and the legacies that are
embedded in our national memory.
410
00:22:03,667 --> 00:22:07,737
We stand here surrounded by the
letters penned by Franklin's
411
00:22:07,734 --> 00:22:11,664
hand; the architect table on
which our first secretary of
412
00:22:11,667 --> 00:22:16,837
state, Thomas Jefferson, drafted
the blueprints of a democracy;
413
00:22:16,834 --> 00:22:22,164
the antique silver shaped for
John Adams by his Massachusetts
414
00:22:22,166 --> 00:22:24,496
neighbor Paul Revere.
415
00:22:24,500 --> 00:22:30,700
These statesmen did not know
their experiment would succeed,
416
00:22:30,700 --> 00:22:34,130
but they were the kind
of people who took risks.
417
00:22:34,133 --> 00:22:37,103
And ultimately, their
creativity and their courage,
418
00:22:37,100 --> 00:22:41,930
their persistence, left the
world vastly different and far
419
00:22:41,934 --> 00:22:44,604
better than they found it.
420
00:22:44,600 --> 00:22:48,200
That is the work that
we continue here today,
421
00:22:48,200 --> 00:22:50,630
to keep the promise of
our democracy for the next
422
00:22:50,633 --> 00:22:53,803
generation and
for all the world,
423
00:22:53,800 --> 00:22:57,870
in quiet corners of the globe,
from Tahrir Square to South
424
00:22:57,867 --> 00:23:03,237
Sudan, where people
aspire to be what we are,
425
00:23:03,233 --> 00:23:07,263
to be free and to shape
their own futures.
426
00:23:07,266 --> 00:23:11,966
And in the work that is our
cause, we must always remember,
427
00:23:11,967 --> 00:23:13,767
from our own
national experience,
428
00:23:13,767 --> 00:23:18,597
that hard work is required
to realize freedom.
429
00:23:18,600 --> 00:23:21,530
And as we rededicate ourselves
to that purpose for our own
430
00:23:21,533 --> 00:23:26,963
nation and our neighbors, it's
important we remember that.
431
00:23:26,967 --> 00:23:32,137
It's well-known that my
experience in war shaped my
432
00:23:32,133 --> 00:23:37,603
understanding of the human costs
of failed diplomacy and the cost
433
00:23:37,600 --> 00:23:40,100
of conflict itself.
434
00:23:40,100 --> 00:23:45,270
Vice President and Dr. Biden
know the cost in a personal way
435
00:23:45,266 --> 00:23:48,136
because they have focused on
military families and spent an
436
00:23:48,133 --> 00:23:50,833
enormous amount of time
reaching out to them,
437
00:23:50,834 --> 00:23:54,834
and they understand that
sacrifice and they are also a
438
00:23:54,834 --> 00:23:59,004
military family themselves,
having seen their son Beau,
439
00:23:59,000 --> 00:24:01,400
the attorney general of
the state of Delaware,
440
00:24:01,400 --> 00:24:07,000
leave his home and deploy
for a long year in Iraq.
441
00:24:07,000 --> 00:24:09,700
Moreover, at Dover
Air Force Base,
442
00:24:09,700 --> 00:24:14,770
in the state the Vice President
represented for 36 years,
443
00:24:14,767 --> 00:24:19,497
when our fallen come home, we
are all further reminded of what
444
00:24:19,500 --> 00:24:22,470
it means to be a nation at war.
445
00:24:22,467 --> 00:24:28,337
I am proud to take on this job
because I want to work for peace
446
00:24:28,333 --> 00:24:30,763
and because the
values and ideals --
447
00:24:30,767 --> 00:24:44,437
(cheers and applause)
448
00:24:44,433 --> 00:24:54,163
And the values and the ideals
of our nation are really what
449
00:24:54,166 --> 00:24:58,066
represents the best of
the possibilities of life
450
00:24:58,066 --> 00:24:59,936
here on Earth.
451
00:24:59,934 --> 00:25:03,904
But I make clear today
to those listening,
452
00:25:03,900 --> 00:25:07,800
while my preference is for
peaceful resolution to conflict,
453
00:25:07,800 --> 00:25:10,770
my journey has also taught
me that when remedies are
454
00:25:10,767 --> 00:25:15,767
exhausted, we must be prepared
to defend our cause and do what
455
00:25:15,767 --> 00:25:19,297
is necessary to stand up
to extremism, terrorism,
456
00:25:19,300 --> 00:25:21,130
chaos and evil.
457
00:25:21,133 --> 00:25:23,603
And we will continue to do so.
458
00:25:23,600 --> 00:25:31,900
(applause)
459
00:25:31,900 --> 00:25:37,070
But the beauty of this place
-- and I do mean beauty of this
460
00:25:37,066 --> 00:25:41,636
place -- is that before we
have to make that choice,
461
00:25:41,633 --> 00:25:44,803
we have a lot of other
choices in front of us.
462
00:25:44,800 --> 00:25:46,870
We can help people
to help themselves.
463
00:25:46,867 --> 00:25:50,037
We can protect children,
as we did in Africa,
464
00:25:50,033 --> 00:25:52,203
where PEPFAR has saved
millions of lives.
465
00:25:52,200 --> 00:25:55,400
We can keep students learning
even after an earthquake
466
00:25:55,400 --> 00:25:58,700
destroys their schools,
as we did in Pakistan.
467
00:25:58,700 --> 00:26:02,370
We can help young girls pursue
their dreams of education,
468
00:26:02,367 --> 00:26:05,297
as we did in Afghanistan and
other places in the world.
469
00:26:05,300 --> 00:26:08,630
That is what the
Department of State can do.
470
00:26:08,633 --> 00:26:09,563
Today --
471
00:26:09,567 --> 00:26:14,897
(applause)
472
00:26:14,900 --> 00:26:18,370
Today we tread on
very new terrain.
473
00:26:18,367 --> 00:26:21,997
The Vice President referred
to it in his comments.
474
00:26:22,000 --> 00:26:25,700
We're in a world of
unparalleled technology,
475
00:26:25,700 --> 00:26:29,430
unprecedented growth in
the number of young people,
476
00:26:29,433 --> 00:26:34,433
of unleashed sectarian strife
and religious extremism.
477
00:26:34,433 --> 00:26:37,233
And I believe -- and I know the
President and Vice President
478
00:26:37,233 --> 00:26:40,633
share this deeply --
unless we stay vigilant,
479
00:26:40,633 --> 00:26:45,033
these forces threaten to unravel
whole nation-states and create
480
00:26:45,033 --> 00:26:47,603
greater pockets of instability
than we have seen in
481
00:26:47,600 --> 00:26:48,770
recent times.
482
00:26:48,767 --> 00:26:51,367
This is our challenge.
483
00:26:51,367 --> 00:26:55,137
I believe the United States
has to join with other nations,
484
00:26:55,133 --> 00:26:58,363
to pool our resources,
our talents, our thinking,
485
00:26:58,367 --> 00:27:03,637
and to create order where
there is none and to fix,
486
00:27:03,633 --> 00:27:06,503
or try to fix, what is broken.
487
00:27:06,500 --> 00:27:10,130
All of us need to do better at
inviting people to embrace the
488
00:27:10,133 --> 00:27:13,663
values that have
always inspired us.
489
00:27:13,667 --> 00:27:16,467
Now, some would rather say that
America ought to turn inward
490
00:27:16,467 --> 00:27:21,397
because of budget choices, that
we have to say no to the world.
491
00:27:21,400 --> 00:27:25,770
Well, I think we recognize our
responsibility and our role.
492
00:27:25,767 --> 00:27:29,167
We know that America is
exceptional not because we say
493
00:27:29,166 --> 00:27:32,196
we are, not because it's a
birthright that will happen
494
00:27:32,200 --> 00:27:37,170
automatically but because
America does exceptional things.
495
00:27:37,166 --> 00:27:39,796
And we must continue
to do those things.
496
00:27:39,800 --> 00:27:41,270
The world depends on us.
497
00:27:41,266 --> 00:27:48,796
(applause)
498
00:27:48,800 --> 00:27:52,370
This is not a time for
America to retreat.
499
00:27:52,367 --> 00:27:55,637
This is a time for us
to continue to lead.
500
00:27:55,633 --> 00:27:59,303
Even in changing times, our
constant will continue to be the
501
00:27:59,300 --> 00:28:03,570
character of the loyal men and
women of the civil service,
502
00:28:03,567 --> 00:28:06,937
the Foreign Service,
USAID, the Marines,
503
00:28:06,934 --> 00:28:09,834
the men and women of the
Diplomatic Security Service who
504
00:28:09,834 --> 00:28:14,504
stand guard and the locally
engaged staff in many parts of
505
00:28:14,500 --> 00:28:18,700
the world, all of whom are
America's extraordinary
506
00:28:18,700 --> 00:28:20,170
diplomatic team.
507
00:28:20,166 --> 00:28:24,696
I am as honored by their
confidence as I am humbled by
508
00:28:24,700 --> 00:28:29,370
their company and by
our journey ahead.
509
00:28:29,367 --> 00:28:33,737
We are all honored today here
by the legacy of the names that
510
00:28:33,734 --> 00:28:36,134
mark each of these rooms.
511
00:28:36,133 --> 00:28:39,333
Franklin, Jefferson,
Madison, Monroe,
512
00:28:39,333 --> 00:28:43,703
John Quincy Adams and three
of our founders, Franklin,
513
00:28:43,700 --> 00:28:47,330
Jefferson and John Adams,
whose effects, as I mentioned,
514
00:28:47,333 --> 00:28:49,433
are preserved here at
the State Department,
515
00:28:49,433 --> 00:28:56,333
were charged on July 4th, 1776,
by the Continental Congress with
516
00:28:56,333 --> 00:29:01,203
devising an emblem for
our newly minted nation.
517
00:29:01,200 --> 00:29:05,900
Six years later, our nation
adopted the Great Seal.
518
00:29:05,900 --> 00:29:09,700
And ever since then, it
has been the custody --
519
00:29:09,700 --> 00:29:12,700
in the custody of the
Department of State.
520
00:29:12,700 --> 00:29:16,000
It literally watches
over us today,
521
00:29:16,000 --> 00:29:20,330
guarding us from above
this room right there.
522
00:29:20,333 --> 00:29:22,233
That's the seal.
523
00:29:22,233 --> 00:29:25,833
And this room is named
for Harry Truman.
524
00:29:25,834 --> 00:29:30,634
It was Truman who turned the
eagle's head away from the
525
00:29:30,633 --> 00:29:35,363
arrows of war and towards the
olive branches that are firmly
526
00:29:35,367 --> 00:29:38,237
gripped in one of the claws.
527
00:29:38,233 --> 00:29:41,063
As the historian David
McCullough wrote,
528
00:29:41,066 --> 00:29:45,366
Truman meant the shift in the
eagle's gaze to be seen as
529
00:29:45,367 --> 00:29:49,397
symbolic of the nation
both on the march and
530
00:29:49,400 --> 00:29:50,670
dedicated to peace.
531
00:29:50,667 --> 00:29:56,667
So my friends, today, as I take
this symbolic oath of office to
532
00:29:56,667 --> 00:30:01,497
publicly reinforce the private
one I took last Friday,
533
00:30:01,500 --> 00:30:06,830
I say to the Vice President,
to my family, to my friends,
534
00:30:06,834 --> 00:30:12,334
to my colleagues old and new:
We are still marching forward.
535
00:30:12,333 --> 00:30:14,863
We still believe in peace.
536
00:30:14,867 --> 00:30:17,367
Even as the ground
beneath us shifts,
537
00:30:17,367 --> 00:30:19,467
we know how to find our way.
538
00:30:19,467 --> 00:30:22,267
And we will do so
with firm footing.
539
00:30:22,266 --> 00:30:27,636
And in the end, our imprint on
the world is one that we alone
540
00:30:27,633 --> 00:30:30,863
can still seal for ourselves.
541
00:30:30,867 --> 00:30:32,037
Let's get to work.
542
00:30:32,033 --> 00:30:33,003
Thank you.
543
00:30:33,000 --> 00:30:36,200
(applause)
