THE SECRETARY OF STATE

WASHINGTON
Dear Colleagues:
Words cannot adequately express my gratitude to you for all the cards, calls,
e-mails, tweets, and other expressions of encouragement and support you
have conveyed to me in the two weeks since my cycling accident. Teresa and
I will be forever grateful for your cheering words. Thanks, also, to the many
in the Department who helped during my stay in Boston and kept me up to
speed on events and in touch with colleagues at home and abroad. I expect
to be back in Washington soon, and look forward to resuming my normal
schedule and seeing many of you.
In the days following my accident, there was some speculation about what it
might mean for our diplomatic priorities. The honest answer to that question
is nothing -- and the reason is all of you. This Department has had my back
from the first day I walked through its doors, and that includes stepping up
while I had to step away for a bit. You folks have carried on exactly as you
always do -- professionally, tirelessly, and creatively. Id thank you for that,
but I know you dont expect thanks. Stepping up is what you do; its who you
are; and its why we havent missed a beat in fulfilling our responsibilities.
Looking ahead, I can assure you that we are not going to slow down -- not at
all. This is a moment of incredible opportunity for our agenda across the
globe -- as we work to complete an agreement on the Iran nuclear issue;
negotiate a truly ambitious and global climate change pact in Paris this
December; support the President in finalizing the Trans-Pacific Partnership;
counter the danger posed by violent extremists, including ISIL; restore
stability and sovereignty in Ukraine; ease threats to regional security in the
Asia Pacific; continue strengthening our vital ties to India, Pakistan and
Afghanistan; fully normalize diplomatic relations with Cuba; enhance our
bonds with Nigeria and other partners in Africa; prepare for what promises to
be a historic set of initiatives at the United Nations this fall; and on, and on,
and on.
Around the globe, American leadership -- your leadership -- is both needed
and wanted. And because of you -- Foreign Service, Civil Service, locallyemployed national, contractor -- we are leading as broadly and as
productively as ever before. A broken bone couldn't change that. And nothing
is going to change the pride I feel each day as I work with you on behalf of
our country and the interests and ideals for which it stands.
Onward -- full speed ahead; and see you very soon.
JK
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