WEBVTT 00:01.019 --> 00:04.186 (audience applauding) 00:57.611 --> 00:59.192 - Well, good morning all. 00:59.192 --> 01:01.525 We apologize for being late. 01:01.793 --> 01:04.252 It seems that this year's prayer breakfast, 01:04.252 --> 01:06.495 people felt the need to pray a little longer. 01:06.495 --> 01:08.745 (laughing) 01:11.969 --> 01:14.636 But I certainly welcomed it all. 01:15.913 --> 01:18.913 Thank you for such a warm reception. 01:19.735 --> 01:21.381 It is a pleasure to be here, 01:21.381 --> 01:23.597 obviously I've been anxious to be here 01:23.597 --> 01:26.985 and I'm so pleased to have my wife, Renda, 01:26.985 --> 01:29.305 more than 30 years and she has been 01:29.305 --> 01:31.339 just steadfast through this process, 01:31.339 --> 01:33.911 encouraging me on and reminding me 01:33.911 --> 01:37.221 what this is really all about, so thank you. 01:37.221 --> 01:40.388 (audience applauding) 01:50.365 --> 01:53.543 Also want to thank acting secretary Tom Shannon 01:53.543 --> 01:56.662 who's just been superb through this entire process. 01:56.662 --> 01:58.097 Tom, thank you so much. 01:58.097 --> 02:02.264 (audience applauding) (cheering) 02:11.646 --> 02:14.127 It was truly, and indeed an honor, 02:14.127 --> 02:16.657 that Tom joined us in the oval office last night 02:16.657 --> 02:19.621 for my swearing in and appreciated that he was there. 02:19.621 --> 02:21.653 Obviously I also want to recognize 02:21.653 --> 02:24.148 and thank all of you at our headquarters 02:24.148 --> 02:26.178 of our State Department, the staff and partners 02:26.178 --> 02:29.810 around the world who have faithfully performed your duties 02:29.810 --> 02:33.365 regardless of who was in charge, that's so important. 02:33.365 --> 02:35.904 I know many of you have assisted ambassadors 02:35.904 --> 02:38.973 and other officials during the senate confirmation process 02:38.973 --> 02:41.559 and indeed some of you have been through it yourself. 02:41.559 --> 02:43.582 Having just come through for the first time, 02:43.582 --> 02:45.646 I can assure you the senate still takes it 02:45.646 --> 02:48.091 as serious as ever, they're as energetic as ever, 02:48.091 --> 02:50.424 they're as thorough as ever. 02:50.881 --> 02:52.131 But we're here. 02:53.791 --> 02:57.958 (laughing) (audience applauding) 03:03.364 --> 03:04.616 So in the days and weeks ahead, 03:04.616 --> 03:06.106 we're going to have plenty of opportunity 03:06.106 --> 03:09.654 to discuss in more detail the goals and priorities 03:09.654 --> 03:12.650 and the strategic direction for our organization. 03:12.650 --> 03:15.973 But for now, I really want to take a few minutes 03:15.973 --> 03:18.166 to communicate my high regard 03:18.166 --> 03:20.113 for the men and women of the state department 03:20.113 --> 03:23.822 and share with you some principles for all of us to live by 03:23.822 --> 03:26.489 as we pursue our shared mission. 03:27.543 --> 03:29.443 The individuals who comprise this department 03:29.443 --> 03:32.312 are among the finest public servants in the world. 03:32.312 --> 03:34.721 Many of you serve our nation abroad 03:34.721 --> 03:37.019 and have served our nation abroad. 03:37.019 --> 03:38.907 State department staffers in the field 03:38.907 --> 03:42.376 are not just conduits for policies and plans, 03:42.376 --> 03:45.376 you are our emissaries of our nation 03:45.388 --> 03:47.388 and ideals we stand for. 03:47.490 --> 03:50.657 When people see you, they see America. 03:52.994 --> 03:54.278 When I wake up each morning, 03:54.278 --> 03:56.340 the very first thing I ask myself is 03:56.340 --> 03:58.590 are all of our people safe? 03:59.373 --> 04:01.091 The safety of every single member 04:01.091 --> 04:02.625 of our state department family, 04:02.625 --> 04:04.756 regardless of where he or she is posted, 04:04.756 --> 04:08.839 is not just a priority for me, it's a core value. 04:09.454 --> 04:12.249 And it will become a core value of this department. 04:12.249 --> 04:15.416 (audience applauding) 04:21.002 --> 04:24.049 This means the state department family here in the US 04:24.049 --> 04:25.485 and all those agencies 04:25.485 --> 04:27.655 serving under chief of missions abroad, 04:27.655 --> 04:29.010 including civil service, 04:29.010 --> 04:31.625 foreign service officers and specialists, 04:31.625 --> 04:33.815 locally engaged staff of host country 04:33.815 --> 04:37.226 and third country nationals, interns, fellows, 04:37.226 --> 04:39.778 support contractors, and implementing partners, 04:39.778 --> 04:42.776 and not least of all the family members 04:42.776 --> 04:45.305 who support us at home and in our service 04:45.305 --> 04:47.178 to our country overseas. 04:47.178 --> 04:49.938 The foreign service is not the only component 04:49.938 --> 04:51.723 of the state department. 04:51.723 --> 04:53.843 The civil service workforce of the state department 04:53.843 --> 04:57.559 plays an indispensable role in all we achieve 04:57.559 --> 04:59.386 and we cannot obtain success 04:59.386 --> 05:03.244 without the mission critical services that you provide. 05:03.244 --> 05:05.758 Though we often live in a world of headlines, 05:05.758 --> 05:07.832 working outside of the public eye 05:07.832 --> 05:11.482 does not make you any less essential to our operations. 05:11.482 --> 05:15.123 Your dedication, your intelligence, and your sound judgment 05:15.123 --> 05:19.030 are the brick and mortar elements of all we do. 05:19.030 --> 05:23.197 We all depend on your good work and I know it will continue. 05:23.662 --> 05:26.829 (audience applauding) 05:33.193 --> 05:35.641 One of the great challenges and thrills 05:35.641 --> 05:37.078 for the state department staff 05:37.078 --> 05:40.028 is decided how to confront changing conditions 05:40.028 --> 05:41.998 in every corner of the world. 05:41.998 --> 05:44.787 And I encourage all of you to use your natural 05:44.787 --> 05:47.894 and well developed skills to adapt to changes 05:47.894 --> 05:49.644 here at home as well. 05:49.831 --> 05:52.310 I know this was a hotly contested election 05:52.310 --> 05:55.757 and we do not all feel the same way about the outcome. 05:55.757 --> 05:57.679 Each of us is entitled to the expression 05:57.679 --> 05:59.488 of our political beliefs. 05:59.488 --> 06:01.911 But we cannot let our personal convictions 06:01.911 --> 06:05.411 overwhelm our ability to work as one team. 06:05.721 --> 06:08.162 Let us be understanding with each other 06:08.162 --> 06:11.052 about the times we live in as we focus our energies 06:11.052 --> 06:13.219 on our departmental goals. 06:13.561 --> 06:16.782 As secretary, I will deploy the talent and resources 06:16.782 --> 06:20.267 of the state department in the most efficient way possible. 06:20.267 --> 06:22.129 That may entail making some changes 06:22.129 --> 06:25.424 to how things are traditionally done in this department. 06:25.424 --> 06:29.044 Change for the sake of change can be counterproductive 06:29.044 --> 06:31.506 and that will never be my approach. 06:31.506 --> 06:34.389 But we cannot sustain ineffective traditions 06:34.389 --> 06:36.222 over optimal outcomes. 06:36.509 --> 06:37.930 I will gather information 06:37.930 --> 06:39.865 on what processes should be reformed 06:39.865 --> 06:42.401 and do my part to make sure we are functioning 06:42.401 --> 06:46.197 in the most productive and efficient way possible. 06:46.197 --> 06:47.907 Regardless of the circumstances 06:47.907 --> 06:50.586 shaping our country or our department, 06:50.586 --> 06:54.740 we must all remain focused on the mission at hand before us. 06:54.740 --> 06:58.227 I remind you that our undertakings are larger than ourselves 06:58.227 --> 07:00.227 or our personal careers. 07:01.058 --> 07:03.852 Our duty is to faithfully represent our nation 07:03.852 --> 07:06.067 in the arena of foreign affairs. 07:06.067 --> 07:08.197 If we stay focused on the work before us, 07:08.197 --> 07:11.365 I promise I will work to ensure you achieve 07:11.365 --> 07:15.282 your own personal success and your professional satisfaction 07:15.282 --> 07:17.115 in what you are doing. 07:17.392 --> 07:20.473 For every individual who works at the state department, 07:20.473 --> 07:23.973 I ask that we adopt a few core principals. 07:24.447 --> 07:27.163 First, I believe that any organization runs best 07:27.163 --> 07:30.458 when all of its members embrace accountability. 07:30.458 --> 07:32.746 From the mailroom to the boardroom, 07:32.746 --> 07:35.964 every member of a team has a job to do. 07:35.964 --> 07:38.322 I know nobody will always be perfect 07:38.322 --> 07:40.626 and that certainly includes me. 07:40.626 --> 07:42.745 But I ask that everyone strive for excellence 07:42.745 --> 07:45.066 and assume responsibility for their actions 07:45.066 --> 07:46.733 and their decisions. 07:47.406 --> 07:49.961 The New England Patriots have signs posted 07:49.961 --> 07:52.846 all over their team facilities that simply say 07:52.846 --> 07:53.846 do your job. 07:55.473 --> 07:59.269 It is a brief message, but one with profound importance. 07:59.269 --> 08:01.861 If we all do our jobs and embrace a willingness 08:01.861 --> 08:04.133 to be held accountable for our performance, 08:04.133 --> 08:06.134 we work better as a unit, 08:06.134 --> 08:09.051 move closer to attaining our goals. 08:09.054 --> 08:11.773 That's worked pretty well for the Patriots over the years 08:11.773 --> 08:13.106 as I must admit. 08:13.204 --> 08:15.454 (laughing) 08:15.775 --> 08:18.844 Secondly, I want us to be honest with one another. 08:18.844 --> 08:20.761 We're on the same team. 08:21.226 --> 08:23.393 We share the same mission. 08:23.480 --> 08:26.717 Honesty will undergird our foreign policy 08:26.717 --> 08:28.719 and we'll start by making with the basis 08:28.719 --> 08:31.278 of how we interact with each other. 08:31.278 --> 08:35.255 Lastly, we're going to treat each other with respect. 08:35.255 --> 08:38.755 No one will tolerate disrespect of anyone. 08:39.255 --> 08:41.769 Before we are employees of the state department, 08:41.769 --> 08:43.936 we are human beings first. 08:44.457 --> 08:47.077 Let us extend respect to each other, 08:47.077 --> 08:49.744 especially when we may disagree. 08:50.160 --> 08:53.927 What I ask of you and what I demand of myself, 08:53.927 --> 08:57.964 I will embrace accountability, honesty, and respect 08:57.964 --> 08:59.631 no less than anyone. 09:00.097 --> 09:02.847 Before President Trump called me, 09:02.990 --> 09:05.316 I thought I'd be entering retirement this spring 09:05.316 --> 09:08.385 after four decades of business experience. 09:08.385 --> 09:10.503 Renda and I were ready to head off to the ranch 09:10.503 --> 09:12.836 and enjoy our grandchildren. 09:13.467 --> 09:15.339 But when I came back from my first meeting 09:15.339 --> 09:18.081 with President Trump and he asked me to do this, 09:18.081 --> 09:19.702 Renda said you didn't know it, 09:19.702 --> 09:22.771 but you've been in a 41 year training program for this job. 09:22.771 --> 09:26.938 (laughing) (audience applauding) 09:36.779 --> 09:38.720 So despite our own dreams, 09:38.720 --> 09:41.274 she said you're supposed to do this. 09:41.274 --> 09:44.274 My first day's here, I'm on the job. 09:45.577 --> 09:47.200 Hi, I'm the new guy. 09:47.200 --> 09:51.367 (laughing) (audience applauding) 09:58.871 --> 10:03.038 As such, I will depend on the expertise of this institution. 10:03.386 --> 10:05.336 There are over 75000 members 10:05.336 --> 10:07.295 of the state department workforce, 10:07.295 --> 10:10.013 both foreign and civil service employees, 10:10.013 --> 10:14.180 with an average over 11 years of service in the department. 10:14.303 --> 10:15.803 I have 25 minutes. 10:18.030 --> 10:19.834 You have accumulated knowledge and experience 10:19.834 --> 10:22.676 that cannot be replicated anywhere else. 10:22.676 --> 10:26.343 Your wisdom, your work ethic, and patriotism 10:26.363 --> 10:28.363 is as important as ever. 10:28.514 --> 10:31.009 And as your secretary, I will be proud to draw upon 10:31.009 --> 10:34.509 all these qualities in my decision making. 10:34.563 --> 10:37.458 I ask that you join me in upholding high standards 10:37.458 --> 10:39.593 of ethics and professionalism, 10:39.593 --> 10:42.478 committing to partial accountability and honesty 10:42.478 --> 10:45.012 and respecting your colleagues. 10:45.012 --> 10:48.350 There will undoubtedly be times of victory, 10:48.350 --> 10:51.368 but there will also be many times of difficulty. 10:51.368 --> 10:54.748 Let's go forward as a team through all of it. 10:54.748 --> 10:56.761 Let's make the American people proud 10:56.761 --> 10:59.568 of what we do in this building and beyond. 10:59.568 --> 11:01.884 Inscribed on the walls in this lobby 11:01.884 --> 11:05.304 are the names of fallen foreign service personnel. 11:05.304 --> 11:07.350 Who, in the words of Abraham Lincoln, 11:07.350 --> 11:10.649 gave their last full measure of devotion. 11:10.649 --> 11:14.477 They died in service of causes far greater than themselves. 11:14.477 --> 11:16.553 As we move forward in a new era, 11:16.553 --> 11:18.707 it is important to honor the sacrifices 11:18.707 --> 11:20.605 of those who have come before us 11:20.605 --> 11:24.105 and reflect on the legacy that we inherit. 11:24.125 --> 11:26.608 In closing, I'm honored to be serving 11:26.608 --> 11:29.629 alongside each of you as I serve our nation 11:29.629 --> 11:31.796 as the secretary of state. 11:32.674 --> 11:34.291 So now I'm going to take a moment, 11:34.291 --> 11:36.122 pay my respects to those individuals 11:36.122 --> 11:38.073 that are memorialized on this wall 11:38.073 --> 11:39.991 and then I look forward to making the rounds 11:39.991 --> 11:42.324 and greeting you personally. 11:42.368 --> 11:44.420 It may take me a few days. 11:44.420 --> 11:45.825 (laughing) 11:45.825 --> 11:49.992 But in all sincerity, I do hope to have the opportunity 11:50.386 --> 11:53.593 to shake the hand of every one of you that's here. 11:53.593 --> 11:54.929 Thank you so much. 11:54.929 --> 11:58.096 (audience applauding) 12:34.043 --> 12:37.543 (rabble of conversations) 12:50.159 --> 12:52.159 - [Man] We're good, man. 13:05.201 --> 13:07.087 - [Woman] They're just gonna look at the wall for a while. 13:07.087 --> 13:09.903 Just want to tell you what's going on. 13:09.903 --> 13:12.434 - [Man] I have to do the same thing with CN. 13:12.434 --> 13:15.101 - [Woman] That's what I figured. 13:18.610 --> 13:19.693 I'm all good. 13:36.093 --> 13:39.093 - [Man] He's just gonna shake hands. 13:42.177 --> 13:43.439 - [Man] Good, he needs to get 13:43.439 --> 13:45.052 to an elevator bank right here. 13:45.052 --> 13:45.885 - [Man] Yep, there it is. 13:45.885 --> 13:47.009 - [Man] That's gonna take all day. 13:47.009 --> 13:49.926 - [Man] Trying to get out that way? 15:29.712 --> 15:32.629 - [Woman] I'm sorry, I was evading. 15:32.868 --> 15:35.317 - [Man] I was doing the same, like oh, just do it faster. 15:35.317 --> 15:38.984 - [Woman] Right? (laughing) 15:54.833 --> 15:56.731 - [Woman] We're gonna be standing here for a bit. 15:56.731 --> 15:58.231 - [Woman] Oh yeah. 17:27.498 --> 17:28.746 - [Woman] Going in. 17:28.746 --> 17:29.579 - [Woman] You must go. 17:29.579 --> 17:31.441 - [Woman] Yeah, going in. 17:31.441 --> 17:35.024 Ah, he's moving (mumbling) 17:53.829 --> 17:57.162 These things work better than I want to. 19:31.276 --> 19:33.526 - [Man] That's us, see her? 19:40.617 --> 19:43.117 - [Woman] Thank you, everyone. 19:43.652 --> 19:46.569 I didn't know this would come to... 21:11.934 --> 21:15.101 (audience applauding)