Hillary Clinton Video: My First Passport

Video Remarks on "My First Passport"

Remarks

Hillary Rodham Clinton
Secretary of State

Washington, DC

March 2, 2012

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I have visited nearly 100 countries and traveled over 700,000 miles as Secretary of State, but I will never forget the first time I used my passport. Bill and I went to London, where we spent hours touring Westminster Abbey, the Tate Gallery, and Parliament. We walked around Stonehenge, visited as many cathedrals as we could, and met people from all different kinds of backgrounds. It opened my eyes to a world of new sights and new experiences. Travel abroad has always been an important part of building new connections with other countries, because diplomacy doesn’t just happen within the walls and halls of government. It also happens between people.
That’s why the Department of State will host “Passport Day in the USA” on March 10. U.S. citizens throughout the country can visit any of our 25 domestic passport agencies – or one of the hundreds of passport acceptance facilities – to renew or apply for a U.S. passport book or passport card. The best part is, you don’t need an appointment.
So whether you are planning your family’s summer vacation, a student who plans to study abroad, or you are heading to London to cheer on our athletes at the 2012 Olympic Games, visit travel.state.gov, Facebook or Twitter to learn about renewing or applying for your passport. You can also share the story of the time you got your “first passport” and learn more about our Smart Traveler Enrollment Program, also known as STEP. Because a passport is your doorway to the world, and STEP keeps you informed, connected, and safe along the way.
Thank you, and happy travels.