UNDER SECRETARY PATRICK F. KENNEDY: Good evening, everyone.
It is my great pleasure to welcome everyone here this evening to celebrate the completion
of the U.S. Diplomacy Center pavilion.
Two years ago, many of us here tonight attended the groundbreaking ceremony that began construction
of the extraordinary building in which we are now located.
The completion of this pavilion represents a historic milestone in the decades-long effort
to create the first museum and education center dedicated to diplomacy.
The Diplomacy Center will welcome the public into the world of diplomacy and illustrate
the vital role diplomats play in supporting our national security.
The Center will honor American diplomats, past, present, and future, who served their
country with skill, dedication, and courage, often in difficult and dangerous environments.
As a career department and state employee, I and my colleagues, Foreign Service, Civil
Service, and local nationals, are excited to have a place where our fellow citizens
and family and friends can hear our stories and explore the intricacies of what diplomacy
is, and how diplomats work around the world and around the clock on behalf of our fellow
citizens.
This building, halls one and four, and the future halls within the older structure, allow
us to tell the story of American diplomacy.
It is my honor today to announce that the two halls within this new building will each
be named after distinguished Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton and Henry Kissinger.
[APPLAUSE] This elegant pavilion is a fitting home for
The Diplomacy Center.
The design combines modern architecture with elements that invoke our rich history and
integrates materials from around our diverse nation.
From here, I can see the large brass doors that were designed for the entrance of the
War Department, built in 1943, and the pink marble you see is from a small community in
Tennessee.
Many, many people are responsible for the success of this project.
First, Secretary Kerry, who ensured the crucial leap from idea to reality.
Thank you, Mr. Secretary.
Secretary Albright, for her vision and determination beginning this project over 16 years ago.
Secretaries Powell and Clinton for their continued support and enthusiasm, and Secretaries Kissinger,
Schultz, Baker, and Rice, who could not join us here this evening, but they too carried
the dream forward.
Hardworking men and women, in many organizations, worked tirelessly to design and manage and
build this pavilion.
The U.S. General Services Administration, the Gilbane building company, the Beyer Blinder
Belle architectural firm, and my colleagues in the State Department's Bureau of Administration.
You can all be very, very proud of this accomplishment.
Ambassador Elizabeth Bagley has excelled in the difficult task of enlisting donors to
our cause.
Thank you for your efforts.
[APPLAUSE] And I wished also to thank the board and officers
of the diplomacy center foundation.
I am especially pleased that Ambassador William C. Harrop, the chairman of the foundation,
is here with us tonight.
Thank you very much, Bill.
[APPLAUSE] Finally, to our generous donors, both in the
audience and those who aren't able to attend, your invaluable support for the diplomacy
center and your continuing commitment to American diplomacy and its diplomats has been and remains
the lifeblood of this institution.
A truly sincere and heartfelt thank you.
It is now my pleasure to introduce Ambassador Elizabeth Bagley, senior advisor to the Secretary
of State for special initiatives.