Hillary Rodham Clinton on the Passing of Former Secretary of State Lawrence Eagleburger

Statement on the Passing of Former Secretary of State Lawrence Eagleburger

Remarks

Hillary Rodham Clinton
Secretary of State

Washington, DC

June 4, 2011

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Former Secretary of State Lawrence Eagleburger was a strong voice and stalwart champion for America’s values. His passing is America’s loss.

Larry spent a lifetime defending America’s interests wherever he was needed, first in the Army, and later as an officer in the Foreign Service.

Larry understood as well as anyone the crucial role our Foreign Service Officers play in protecting America's interests and projecting our values. As an analyst studying Cuba, he stood up against communism during the height of the Cold War. As Ambassador to Yugoslavia, he fought for human rights in Eastern Europe. As delegate to NATO, he helped build strong international institutions. At the end of the Cold War, he became the first career Foreign Service Officer to be named Secretary of State.

From his days as a First Lieutenant to his tenure as Secretary of State, Larry believed in the strength of America’s values, and he fought for them around the world. He was outspoken, but always the consummate diplomat. Even in retirement, Larry remained a staunch advocate for the causes he believed in. He never stopped caring, contributing, and speaking out.

My thoughts and prayers are with his sons Lawrence Scott, Lawrence Andrew and Lawrence Jason, his beloved family, and his countless friends and colleagues in and out of the State Department.