Honoring Deceased Ambassador Richard Holbrooke

Floor Speech

* Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Madam Speaker, I rise today in honor of Ambassador Richard Holbrooke and his diplomatic career which lasted the better part of five decades. Ambassador Holbrooke's decorated career spanned the globe from Asia to Europe with stops at the U.S. State Department, United Nations, and most recently, as Presidential envoy on Afghanistan-Pakistan policy. His service shaped American foreign policy in such troubled areas as the Balkans and most recently in leading the U.S. in Afghanistan. I concur with the sentiments of many of my colleagues in that his stellar service is deeply appreciated and held in the highest esteem. As co-chair of the Afghanistan Caucus, I especially appreciate his promotion of a civil, democratic society for the people of Afghanistan. Ambassador Holbrooke will be deeply missed.

* I would like to express my condolences to his wife, Kati, his two sons, and two stepchildren along with the rest of the Holbrooke family. My thoughts and prayers are with his family at this difficult time.

Source