Madeleine Albright pays tribute to Colin Powell: 'Honesty, dignity, loyalty'
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Speaking at the funeral of Gen. Colin Powell on Friday, former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright said that Powell, her successor in that role, “almost transcended time, for his virtues were Homeric: honesty, dignity, loyalty and an unshakable commitment to his calling and word.”
Video Transcript
MADELEINE ALBRIGHT: Although we were the same age, he and I were shaped by different experiences, and had different ideas, and represented different departments. But over the past quarter century, we also became very close friends. An experience, I know, that I have in common with many of you.
The reason is that beneath that glossy exterior of warrior statesman, was one of the gentlest and most decent people any of us will ever meet. As I grew to know him, I came to view Colin Powell as a figure who almost transcended time. For his virtues were Homeric, honesty, dignity, loyalty, and an unshakable commitment to his calling and word.
These were the same traits he saw tirelessly to instill in the soldiers under his command. The diplomats he led, the colleagues with whom he worked, the readers of his books, the audiences that flocked to his speeches, the students of the Powell School for Civic and Global Leadership. And the thousands of young people who benefited from the America's Promise Alliance that Alma and he championed.
He relished the opportunity to connect with other generations. And it's always the right time he told us, and I quote, "to reach out to someone who's wanting to look up. And to each, in our own way, to help put that fellow American on the road to success."
A first rate listener, and in government, the ultimate team player, Colin was nevertheless always true to himself. He could not be moved by any threat, or tempting promise to depart from what he felt was right. He had a code instilled by his immigrant parents, honed by army tradition, and nurtured by more than half a century of marriage. He was also guided by a conscience, that unlike many, never slept.
