WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Angus S. King, Jr. (I-Maine) hailed the confirmation of Senator John F. Kerry (D-Massachusetts) to become the next U.S. Secretary of State, thereby succeeding current Secretary of State Hillary R. Clinton.

Senator King said:

“I was honored today to cast my vote in support of Senator Kerry’s nomination and congratulate him on his confirmation by the Senate to become our next Secretary of State.  John was one of the first Senators I met with following my election, and although I have only served with him for a short time, it’s clear to me that he is exceptionally well-qualified for such a demanding position – especially given his nearly thirty years of experience in the Senate, all of which he spent on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee that he now chairs.  With challenges abounding across the globe, I have every confidence that John will be an extraordinary ambassador for our country, and I wish him the very best as he transitions over to the State Department to fulfill that critical work.

“I would also like to extend my deepest gratitude to Secretary Clinton for her outstanding service over the past four years.  Her statesmanship has been nothing short of exemplary and her contributions have made an indelible difference not only in the lives of Americans, but in the lives of countless people across the globe.”

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