As always, before departing, Mme. Secretary met with the staff and
families of Embassy Singapore, and this time we have a few pictures!
Meeting With Embassy Singapore Staff and Their Families
Remarks
Hillary Rodham Clinton
Secretary of State
St. Regis Hotel
Singapore
November 17, 2012
AMBASSADOR ADELMAN:
Well, Madam Secretary, you are in the presence of an all-star team. And
that is really what we're about here in the U.S. Embassy Singapore, and
that is teamwork. We've got 19 U.S. Government agencies working hard
every day. And you saw some of their good work over the last couple of
days. U.S.-Singapore relations, as you know, have never been better, and
that's a result of the work of these extraordinarily talented people
and their families, who have all served the public. And, if you don't
mind, I will add following in your good example.
I know they want to hear from you, and we sincerely hope you will have some time to greet some of the families individually.
SECRETARY CLINTON: Absolutely. Absolutely.
AMBASSADOR ADELMAN: So, once again, please join me in thanking our United States Secretary of State, Hillary Rodham Clinton. (Applause.)
SECRETARY CLINTON:
Thank you so much. Thank you, David. Thank you. Thank you all. Well, it
is wonderful, being back here in Singapore, and having this chance to
thank each and every one of you for the great contributions you are
making to this important relationship. I want to thank the ambassador
and Caroline and their entire family for representing our country so
well, so enthusiastically, and so positively. And it is a special
pleasure for me to thank you for what you've done to help make this trip
of mine successful, and what you do every day to bring the people of
our two countries closer together.
I have had excellent meetings
here in Singapore. I just gave a speech about an hour-and-a-half ago at
Singapore Management University about the nexus of economic power and
global influence, and explaining what I call our economic statecraft
agenda. I raised these issues in the meetings with the Prime Minister
and the Foreign Minister. And we couldn't do what we are doing without
all of you supporting American businesses, including the more than 2,000
who have their regional headquarters here. I was just out at the GE
facility that does aircraft parts repair, and it was great to see what
they are doing here in this region. And I also want to thank you for
coordinating the efforts, as David was saying, of 19 agencies
represented here. That's a lot of coordination. From State and Defense
to Commerce, Treasury, USDA, and so much more.
But that represents
the depth and breadth of our relationship. And this embassy has led the
way with regional trade missions to Indonesia, Vietnam, India,
Malaysia, most recently Burma, that ended with at least five American
companies either opening an office or landing a sale there. And I am
proud to say that today U.S. exports to Singapore are at an all-time
high, as are American investments. That's a testament to the
ambassador's leadership and the talent and energy of so many of you in
this room.
I know you're also reaching out to the community,
helping to clean up one of Singapore's beautiful beaches, volunteering
at the Special Olympics or the Ronald McDonald House, serving meals at a
retirement home, building connections which, after all, are the base of
any strong relationship. That is every bit as important as security and
economics for the long run.
I also want to thank all the family
members who are here today. I know that there is a lot of you who are
far from home. But I am glad that you are part of this team. Some of you
have served unaccompanied time in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Pakistan,
which I greatly appreciate. The President and I are very grateful for
what you do.
I also want to take a moment to recognize our
locally-engaged staff. Could all of our Singaporean staff raise your
hands so we can thank you for what you do every single day? (Applause.) I
want to congratulate your FSN of the Year, Susan Mok. (Applause.) And
there are 3 staff members -- I did a double-take when I saw this number
-- there are 3 staff members who, between them, have put in a combined
120 years of service at this post. (Applause.) Now, they all started
when they were in kindergarten. (Laughter.) But let me thank Yahya
Rahmat, Amy Ho, and Helen Jen. (Applause.) Because I know very well that
ambassadors come and go, and secretaries come and go, but our
locally-employed staff provide the continuity, the memory bank that
keeps our mission going year after year.
So, it is wonderful for
me to be able to come and take this chance to celebrate and thank you
for all you're accomplishing on behalf of the American people and this
critical relationship. And now I'm going to shake as many hands as I
can, and thank you personally for the great job you are doing. Thank you
all. (Applause.)
