Thanks so much for joining us toda today. You have been interim chief since march. How would you describe these past few months . I would say this is one of the more transformational moments in policing. No doubt. For so many reasons. One in the spotlight, is, of course, the death of george floyd. Our heart broke. We seen a lot of protests, including in oakland. We saw it last week when people were out if your city for jacob blake, chofs shwho was shot by n police. You have discerned that theyre not. Right. Can you break down the different groups out there . You know, i think whats happened in the past several weeks, particularly, is that what were seeing now is the demonstrations are differentiating themselves and that those who are sincere and out there to demonstrate peacefully and carry their message forward of the pain, the hurt, the social injustice and the racial lens that is so much a part of the First Amendment activities weve seen in oakland and throughout the country, rightf
Call to duty, every Foreign Service officer runs the same risk. And very often, so do our families. They serve, too, as individuals, as a community, we answer the call to duty to advance and protect the interests of the United States. I count myself lucky to be a Foreign Service officer, fortunate to serve with the best america has to offer, blessed to serve the American People for the last three years. If you are not moved by the testimony of Marie Yovanovitch today, you dont have a pulse. This is a woman who served in seven posts, president of both parties, more than 30 years, places like somalia. I cant imagine a better example of diplomatic professionalism or integrity than what you have given all of us. From those who served with you, those who inspired to be you, and for all those you have served, you are excellent in the conduct of diplomacy. Excellence in the conduct of diplomacy. I would say the best advice i received, be honest, tinker is to be honest, maintain your integrity
And the United States offered our family a second chance. What you need to know, what americans need to know is that while rankly most of us answer the call to duty in far less dramatic ways, every Foreign Service officer runs the same risk, and very often, so do our families. They serve, too, as individuals, as communities, we answer the call to duty to advance and protect the interests of the United States. I count myself lucky to be a Foreign Service officer, fortunate to serve with the best america has to offer, blessed to serve the American People for the last 33 years. Moved by thee not testimony of Marie Yovanovich today, you dont have a pulse. This is a woman who has served in seven posts for president s of both parties over more than 30 years. Hardship posts, places like somalia, tashkent. I cannot imagine a better example of diplomatic professionalism or integrity then what you have given all of us. Those who have served with you, those who aspire to be you, and for all those
Long before ambassador yovanovitch came to a national prominence, she represented the United States and its interests with professionalism, dignity, and bravery in a diplomatic career that spanned 34 years. World fromross the moscow to ukraine, ambassador yovanovitchs career has been distinguished by service to country, nonpartisanship, and as you can see by her list of postings overseas, by her willingness to take on tough diplomatic assignments and to tell it like it is. Haiku up in an air force family and like the rest of my family, i was tremendously proud of my fathers military service. I benefited from the opportunity to live in other countries around the world and to travel throughout this country. But i also understood the hardships involved and sometimes the risks. The same is true of our nations formats, whose contributions often go unnoticed, the work of our professional diplomats contribute to our nations prosperity, advance our security , and make it less likely that young
I want to welcome everyone. I want to apologize to our two witnesses and to everyone else whos been waiting. Just blame me for the delay. That would be the quickest and easiest thing to do. Ill do my best to start on time henceforth. This is hearing number two, reviewing efforts to secure u. S. Department diplomatic facilities and personnel. The committee will come to order. Chairman notes a quorum for taking testimony pursuant to the appropriate House Resolution number and house rule number, i want to recognize myself for the opening statement. In september of 2012, four of our fellow americans were killed and others were injured in an attack on our facility in benghazi, libya. Shawn smith, tyrone woods, Glenn Doherty and ambassador Chris Stevens died under circumstances most of us can not fathom. Fire, violence, the weaponry of war. I want to read something and i want to ask my colleagues to listen to what i read. Not just to the words but i want you to imagine having to live through