Congratulations Secretary of State Hillary Clinton

Congratulations to Hillary Clinton on her successful Senate confirmation as Secretary of State.


Many New Yorkers including myself will miss her in the Senate, where she was a hard working leader and effective advocate for New York State and New York City. She was admired throughout the state for her knowledge and concern of local issues including real estate.

She successfully filled the seat of former Senators Patrick Daniel Moynihan and Bobbie Kennedy. The new junior Senator from New York will have big shoes to fill as well.

The international challenges our nation face require strong, intelligent and diplomatic leadership. President Obama made a great choice appointing her to help our country meet those global challenges.

At the Committee hearing last week, Clinton - who served eight years in the Senate - said she would pursue a foreign policy of "smart power," with multilateralism and diplomacy taking the lead.

She will officially take up her duties as Secretary of State with a welcoming ceremony for her at the State Department on Thursday morning.