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's First Days at the State Department

In his first days as the Secretary of State, Secretary Kerry has given remarks to a Foreign Policy Classroom, to the Afghan National Institute of Music Ensembles; and to State Department employees.

Secretary Kerry's Arrival at the State Department

Secretary Kerry (Feb. 4): "I want to thank President Obama for his trust in me to take on this awesome task, and for his trust in you, every single one of you, and what you do every single day." Full Text» DipNote»

Secretary Kerry's Confirmation Hearing

Senator Kerry (Jan. 24): "It is humbling to appear before you in a new role as President Obama’s nominee for Secretary of State. ... I’m already excited by the many ways in which we can work together and in which we must work together to advance America’s security interests in a complicated and even dangerous world." Full Text»