DEPUTY SECRETARY BLINKEN: (In progress) our nation’s first diplomat and one of the most
brilliant scientific and literary minds in American history.
He charted the Gulf Stream, he pioneered the study of electricity, he authored our first
diplomatic treaty, and he helped forge a new ethos of self-government that shaped our emerging
nation.
Franklin also really liked to have a very good time.
And he would have lived for Carnival.
In 1763, he created a college student’s dream: a mixed cocktail that could be stored
indefinitely at room temperature.
Which is all to say that while he never would’ve been confirmed by the United States Senate
– (laughter) – he would have greatly approved of long lunches in honor of very good friends
in the middle of the day.
So it’s a great pleasure to welcome all of you here today as one of our most important
partners and closest friends (inaudible).
In a few days, the United States will celebrate our own independence day and reflect on a
journey that is similar, in many ways, to the one charted by Brazil.
Rich in diversity, resolute in spirit, Brazil and the United States forged nations that
we united not by a single religion or heritage, but by a common commitment to the ideals of
freedom and dignity.
Today we are the two largest democracies in the Western Hemisphere.
Our partnership is strengthened by the range of regional and global priorities that we
share – from advancing human rights to protecting the environment to promoting peace and security.
A few weeks ago, Brazil lost one of its great poets, Fernando Brant.
“A friend is someone to keep under the lock of seven keys in your heart,” he wrote in
a poem that was brought to life by the great Milton Nascimento.
The piece of music is called “America’s Song,” and nothing could better reflect
or honor the deep and lasting friendship between the United States and Brazil.
Every day that friendship is energized by thousands of students – Brazilian students
in the United States, American students in Brazil.
When I speak about the power of our exchange programs worldwide, I like to tell students
how proud we are that their alumni are Nobel Laureates, leaders in their fields, and even
leaders of their countries.
And so it’s a tremendous honor to be joined by one of those leaders today.
Madam President, we are deeply grateful for your leadership and the work that you’ve
done to strengthen the partnership between the United States and Brazil.
Vice President Biden’s admiration and affection for Brazil is known throughout the hemisphere.
“What makes Brazil so special,” he once said, “is not just its welcoming spirit
and great diversity, but” – and I quote – “the vibrancy, the inclusive democracy,
seizing opportunities that you can all taste and feel and smell, that portend for a future
that’s even brighter than exists today.”
That future now crystallizes in front of us, and we owe our thanks to leaders like President
Rousseff and Vice President Biden whose vision and commitment serve as driving forces of
progress and prosperity for both our nations.
And now on a personal note, it gives me particular pleasure to introduce a man who has been my
mentor, my partner, my friend, and the greatest public servant I know, the Vice President
of the United States, Joe Biden.
(Applause.)