WASHINGTON, April 27 (Reuters) – President Joe Biden referred to as former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright a “power of nature” on Wednesday at a memorial service attended by former presidents in honor of the primary girl to function the United States’ prime diplomat.
Albright, who served as secretary of state from 1997 to 2001, died final month of most cancers. The professor, businesswoman, mom and grandmother was heralded as a trailblazer after her demise.
Biden praised Albright for her grace, humanity and mind, and mentioned she modified the tide of historical past.
Register now for FREE limitless entry to Reuters.com
“Her story was America’s story,” he mentioned. “She liked to discuss America because the indispensable nation. … It was about gratitude for all this nation made attainable for her. It was a testomony to her perception within the infinite prospects that solely America may assist unlock around the globe.”
Biden, who’s main the U.S. effort to help Ukraine after Russia’s invasion, mentioned Albright was an enormous motive why NATO alliances are so robust at the moment.
Former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton additionally gave tributes. Albright served as U.S. ambassador to the United Nations from 1993 to 1997 throughout President Clinton’s first four-year time period earlier than changing into secretary of state, and was an lively supporter of Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaigns.
Albright and her household fled the Nazis in her native Czechoslovakia throughout World War Two. They finally settled within the United States, the place Albright grew to develop into a tough-talking diplomat, well-known for a typically sharp tongue and a group of pins she would put on to ship political messages.
Albright’s memorial service was held at the Washington National Cathedral. More than 1,400 individuals had been anticipated to attend, based on a spokesperson for the household, together with international ministers, ambassadors and members of Congress.
The household requested that attendees put on masks contained in the cathedral; Washington has skilled a dramatic uptick in COVID-19 instances in current weeks.
Albright’s three daughters had been to present tributes. Former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice was to present a studying from the Bible.
Former President Barack Obama, former first woman Michelle Obama and former Vice President Al Gore attended together with present administration officers together with Secretary of State Antony Blinken.
Register now for FREE limitless entry to Reuters.com
Reporting by Jeff Mason and Trevor Hunnicutt; modifying by Bernard Orr and Jonathan Oatis
Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.