
Date: 02/04/2013 Description: Secretary of State John Kerry displays his first diplomatic passport, while delivering welcome remarks to U.S. Department of State employees in Washington, D.C., February 4, 2013. - State Dept Image
The Secretary of State, appointed by the President with the advice and consent of the Senate, is the President's chief foreign affairs adviser. The Secretary carries out the President's foreign policies through the State Department, which includes the Foreign Service, Civil Service, and U.S. Agency for International Development. On February 1, 2013, John Kerry was sworn in as the 68th Secretary of State of the United States.

Secretary Kerry (Apr. 18): "I know that budgets, deficits, and debt are all weighty decisions. We’re grappling with them at the State Department too, and I think our proposed budget is responsive to and reflective of the national economic reality." Full Text» More»

Secretary Kerry (Apr. 15): "My commitment to you is that as a Pacific nation that takes our Pacific partnership seriously, we will continue to build on our active and enduring presence." Full Text»