Telling the Stories that Need to be Told

Thank you Pat for that warm introduction. And thanks to you and your for your wonderful work as Assistant Secretary for Educational and Cultural Affairs.

Distinguished guests. Ladies and gentlemen.

I am very pleased to be here today to swear in the six new members of the Advisory Commission for Public Diplomacy – Chairman Barbara Barrett and Commissioners Maria Sophia Aguirre, Elizabeth Frawley Bagley, Tre’ Evers, Harold Pachios, and Jay T. Snyder.

Congress established the Commission at the height of the Cold War to make sure that America’s story of freedom penetrated the Iron and Bamboo Curtains to give hope and inspiration to oppressed peoples.

Now, over half a century later, the Commission’s work is more essential than ever. We have a very important story to tell, a story of active American support for freedom and development around the world.

Take America’s role in freeing Muslim peoples. We’ve been in four conflicts in Muslim countries in the last 12 years, and in every one we have put hope back in the hearts of oppressed people.

In Kuwait and Afghanistan, we saved Muslims from a fate worse than death. We helped the Kosovo Albanians who were suffering under Serbian government repression. Now, we have liberated the Iraqi people from a cruel and dictatorial regime.

Ask a Kuwaiti mother if she has a better life because we freed her from Iraqi occupation. Ask an Afghan girl who now can go to school and listen to music if she preferred life under the Taliban. Ask a Kosovar if he enjoyed life under Milosevic’s thumb. Or ask an Iraqi who has just returned from his first pilgrimage to the holy city of Karbala in a quarter century if he is better off now or under Saddam Hussein.

This is a story that needs to be told, only one of many about America’s role in the world.

We are counting on the Commission to help us do so by, in the words of the Legislative mandate, “providing oversight of U.S.-government activities intended to understand, inform, and influence foreign publics.”

In doing this vital work, you will be building on a solid tradition of success. Past Commission reports have contained recommendations on a wide-range of issues – from specific programs, to calls for greater resources, to structural recommendations concerning the merger of the U.S. Information Agency into the Department of State.

For example, the Commission has recommended that we increase the time and scope of our public diplomacy training at the Foreign Service Institute. Well, we’ve gotten the message, and mandatory training for our new Public Affairs Officers is being increased from 3 to 20 weeks.

Given the magnitude of the task before us, we are fortunate indeed to have these six distinguished citizens join it.

Chairwoman Barbara Barrett is an American success story, having risen from humble beginnings to create an enviable career in public service. Among her many accomplishments, Barbara was the first female deputy administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration. She has also headed the American Management Association as CEO, and the International Women’s Forum as President. But what really impresses me is that Barbara was the first civilian woman to land in an F/A-18 Hornet on an aircraft carrier. Barbara, I know you will be a superb chairwoman.

Maria Sophia Aguirre, who is here with her brother Roberto, has successfully combined a distinguished academic career with leadership in civic organizations, including the Commission on the Status of Women in the Professions. Dr. Aguirre is also actively involved with leadership programs for young women.

Elizabeth Frawley Bagley has a distinguished record of public service. A former Ambassador to Portugal, she now serves as associate director for the Council on Foreign Relations’ Task Force on Threats to Democracy and is a member of the Council’s Task Force on Public Diplomacy. I am delighted that her husband, Smith Bagley, could be here with her today.

Tre’ Evers brings to the Commission a wealth of experience in government relations and grassroots advocacy. He has served with distinction in city government in Orlando, and here in Washington with the Department of Transportation. I’d like to welcome Tre’ and his wife, Kathleen.

I am pleased that Harold Pachios has agreed to serve another term on the Commission. And welcome to your son Peter. Harold, thank you for your superb work as Chairman. I know we can continue to rely on your experience and wisdom as a Commission member.

Last, but certainly not least is Jay Snyder, here with his wife Tracy. In addition to his successful business career, Jay served as a U.S. Representative to the 55^th United Nations General Assembly. There, as a Public Delegate, Jay was actively involved in an issue close to my heart, HIV/AIDS.

Clearly, the President has chosen well in tapping these six talented and successful people for Commission membership.

Members of the Commission, much has been asked of public diplomacy. If we are to succeed in telling America’s story, we will need all of your energy, passion, and commitment. I look forward to receiving your advice and recommendations.

Thank you for taking on this important work for the American people. Now, if you are ready, I have the honor to administer the oath.