President Barack Obama praises Kerry’s Senate confirmation as Secretary of State (VIDEO)
Sen. John Kerry (D-MA) is surrounded by security officers as he leaves from the Senate floor in a elevator after the full Senate voted on him to become Secretary of State, on January 29, 2013 on Capitol Hill in Washington DC.
President Barack Obama praised the confirmation of John Kerry as the next secretary of state in a statement.
According to USA Today, it said:
"I am pleased that the Senate has confirmed John Kerry as our next Secretary of State with overwhelming bipartisan support. From his decorated service in Vietnam to his decades in the Senate as a champion of American global leadership, John's distinguished career has prepared him to guide American diplomacy in the years ahead. John has earned the respect of leaders around the world and the confidence of Democrats and Republicans in the Senate, and I am confident he will make an extraordinary Secretary of State. I look forward to his counsel and partnership in the years ahead as we ensure American leadership in the world and advance the interests and values that keep our nation strong."
Kerry, a decorated Vietnam veteran, was earlier Tuesday overwhelming confirmed by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee to become the next secretary of State in a 94-3 vote, according to the Washington Post.
The Massachusetts lawmaker and diplomat's son, 69, is Obama's choice to succeed Hillary Rodham Clinton.
Although no date has been set for hisswearing-in, Kerry ysaid in a letter to Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick that his resignation was effective at 4 p.m. Friday.
More from GlobalPost: Senate confirms John Kerry new secretary of state
The article you just read is free because dedicated readers and listeners like you chose to support our nonprofit newsroom. Our team works tirelessly to ensure you hear the latest in international, human-centered reporting every weekday. But our work would not be possible without you. We need your help.
Make a gift today to help us reach our $25,000 goal and keep The World going strong. Every gift will get us one step closer.