Events
The Remarks of Ambassador-designate Donald S. Beyer Jr. at the Swearing In Ceremony
August 5, 2009, 11:00 a.m. the Treaty Room, Department of State
Thank you, Madam UnderSecretary. Good morning, ladies and gentlemen, distinguished guests.
I have had a long and blessed life, but this morning is the high water mark of my public service. Megan and I and our whole family are so honored to be representing our President, Secretary Clinton, and the American people to the governments and peoples of Switzerland and Liechtenstein.
I am surrounded by the family and friends whom I love the most. To each of you, I offer my deepest thanks, and humbly acknowledge the role you have played in this appointment. To Megan, my life partner and soulmate, without whom nothing. To my son, Don, perhaps the bravest person I know. To Stephanie, Clara, and Grace, the best daughters a father could possibly hope to have, who fascinate and amuse me every single day. To our new son, Trey Kirby. To my brother and sisters, still close, still crazy after all these years – maybe that is the real blessing of a family business. To Dr. and Mrs. Carroll, as much my parents as Megan’s. And to all of you, our friends, thank you.
I read once we only learn by example, from the lives of genuine role models. In this room today are myriad role models for me, but I want to highlight six briefly, for all the ways they have added to Megan and me.
Chuck Robb was our Governor and Senator, and most importantly, Lieutenant Governor. Serious, thoughtful, humble, and ever ready to serve, Senator Robb has epitomized public service at the highest level.
Lynda Johnson Robb came to the White House as a young woman, the daughter of the President, and has transformed her parents’ example into more than four decades of leadership.
Judith McHale has moved from the high finance, global business operations of The Discovery Channel to leading our international public diplomacy efforts. Our democracy thrives when business leaders eschew personal wealth creation to dedicate their talents to public service.
Carl Eggleston was a victim of Virginia’s massive resistance, forced to miss four years of primary education as Prince Edward County closed its public schools rather than integrate. Yet here he is, 50 years later, a successful businessman, who graduated from St. Paul’s College a few years ago with a 4.0 average.
David Abshire served as our Ambassador to NATO 25 years ago, and returned to create and the lead the Center for the Study of the Presidency and Congress. He demonstrates every day that our commitment to public service need never end.
Megan and I carry these men and women with us as we go to the Swiss Confederation and the Principality of Liechtenstein. The task ahead is so broad, so interesting, so complex, and so fulfilling. From hikers wandering into Iran to American tourists with H1N1, from a new double taxation treaty to resettling former Guantanamo detainees, from expanding trade and investment with our stalwart partners to working together to combat terrorist financing and weapons proliferation, the job of Ambassador will be the honor and the adventure of a lifetime.
Megan and I are deeply proud to be Americans. We are dedicated to the American values embedded in our Constitution and our history, and we do our best to live these every day. We want to tell stories about America to the people of Switzerland and Liechtenstein. We want to introduce our thought leaders, our artists and musicians and scientists and poets and politicians to them. We believe the best of America will enrich their citizens.
And we want to be good listeners. I have had the honor to meet with Foreign Minister Calmy-Rey, Ambassador Ziswiler and Deputy Chief of Mission Scheurer, and already I have learned much about the Swiss perspective on important issues. As President Obama has taught us again and again, we Americans must lead, but with a spirit of openness and cooperation, with respect for the opinions of others, bringing nations and peoples together for common cause.
Yesterday, I spent some excellent time with Ambassador Fritsche, who began the process of explaining the history and culture of Liechtenstein. Our countries have long been friends, and we will help this friendship grow.
Over the past weeks, so many friends have raved about Switzerland’s mountains and lakes, chocolate and watches. But we are most intrigued by our shared history and values. We Americans took the idea of the Swiss confederation of cantons, and turned it into the United States. When the Swiss wrote their constitution in the mid-19th Century, they looked first to our US Constitution. We are the two longest-running continuous democracies on earth, sister republics in every sense. Yes, we plan to hike, climb, sail, and sightsee – but we genuinely look forward to getting to know the proud, independent, accomplished, people of Switzerland.
I am fascinated by the Principality of Liechtenstein: 2/3rds mountains, 1/3rd Rhine Valley, led by a Prince and Crown Prince, yet with the strongest democratic tradition.
So many, many folks have brought us to this day, but I want to especially thank my Desk Officer, Yvette Saint-Andre, who has guided me through endless briefings. Susan Mutschler, the perfect Post Management Officer, making the trains run on time. Jenny Hoover, who scheduled me like this was a governor’s race. And Sharon Hardy and Sharon Bisdee, the HR leaders who have managed my nomination from the first day.
In nine days we fly to Zurich, then to Berne. We look forward to working with Ambassador Elizabeth Bagley on global partnerships, and with Undersecretary McHale on public diplomacy.
So, this morning is the high water mark of my public service. I am so intrigued to be going to Switzerland, who holds sailing’s highest honor, The America’s Cup, despite being totally landlocked. Not just chocolate and cows, Switzerland shows us the real meaning of science and innovation, building the fastest boats in the world in the heart of the Alps.
I go as the personal representative of the President, but I also go as your personal representative, you whom I most love, who have given me so much.
Thank you!