THE SECRETARY OF STATEWASHINGTONDear Colleagues:
Words cannot adequately express my gratitude to you for all the
cards, calls, e-mails, tweets, and other expressions of
encouragement and support you have conveyed to me in the two weeks
since my cycling accident. Teresa and I will be forever grateful
for your cheering words. Thanks, also, to the many in the
Department who helped during my stay in Boston and kept me up to
speed on events and in touch with colleagues at home and abroad. I
expect to be back in Washington soon, and look forward to resuming
my normal schedule and seeing many of you.
In the days following my accident, there was some speculation
about what it might mean for our diplomatic priorities. The honest
answer to that question is nothing -- and the reason is all of you.
This Department has had my back from the first day I walked through
its doors, and that includes stepping up while I had to step away
for a bit. You folks have carried on exactly as you always do --
professionally, tirelessly, and creatively. Id thank you for that,
but I know you dont expect thanks. Stepping up is what you do; its
who you are; and its why we havent missed a beat in fulfilling our
responsibilities.
Looking ahead, I can assure you that we are not going to slow
down -- not at all. This is a moment of incredible opportunity for
our agenda across the globe -- as we work to complete an agreement
on the Iran nuclear issue; negotiate a truly ambitious and global
climate change pact in Paris this December; support the President
in finalizing the Trans-Pacific Partnership; counter the danger
posed by violent extremists, including ISIL; restore stability and
sovereignty in Ukraine; ease threats to regional security in the
Asia Pacific; continue strengthening our vital ties to India,
Pakistan and Afghanistan; fully normalize diplomatic relations with
Cuba; enhance our bonds with Nigeria and other partners in Africa;
prepare for what promises to be a historic set of initiatives at
the United Nations this fall; and on, and on, and on.
Around the globe, American leadership -- your leadership -- is
both needed and wanted. And because of you -- Foreign Service,
Civil Service, locally-employed national, contractor -- we are
leading as broadly and as productively as ever before. A broken
bone couldn't change that. And nothing is going to change the pride
I feel each day as I work with you on behalf of our country and the
interests and ideals for which it stands.
Onward -- full speed ahead; and see you very soon.JK###
