President Bush, Vice President Cheney, Members of the Cabinet, Members of Congress, family, friends and colleagues:
I have always felt that the greatest honor that could be bestowed on me by my country is the opportunity to serve it. I felt this way as a junior Foreign Service Officer, and I feel this way today as Director of National Intelligence. I can truthfully say that I have never really wanted to do anything else-whether I was stationed in Vietnam, Greece, Iraq, Mexico or here in Washington. Why? Because the United States represents freedom, the United States represents peace, and the United States represents opportunity. What greater privilege could any American enjoy than to pursue a career representing a great nation based on values such as these?
As parents, Diana and I want our five children to have as much freedom, peace and opportunity as we ourselves have had. We know every other American parent feels the same way. So I view the position of Director of National Intelligence as a challenge, yes, but I am grateful to you, Mr. President, for asking me to accept it. In so doing, I am reassured by the fact that I will be supported by tens of thousands of patriotic professionals in the Intelligence Community who have dedicated their lives-often at great personal risk-to the defense of our country and all that it stands for.
Thank you all for
being here today.
Click here to read about the President Honoring the National Intelligence Director and Deputy Director.