The ceremony took place at the Washington National Cathedral and more than 1,400 dignitaries, former and current U.S. officials, and top legislators were there. Former President Bill Clinton, President Biden and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton all praised Albright’s influence over U.S. foreign policies for decades and his trailblazing career.
Freedom endures in the face every aggressor, because there are always those who will fight to defend it. Madeleine Korbel Albright was the greatest champion of freedom in the 20th century and 21st centuries,” said Mr. Biden, calling her an “absolutely proud American” who made everyone prouder to be Americans.
Among the U.S. officials present were Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin. CIA Director William Burns, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Mark Milley, and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin were also there. Michelle Obama, former President Barack Obama, and several foreign leaders were also present at the ceremony.
Marie Jana Korbelova was born in Prague in 1937. Her family fled Nazi-occupied Czechoslovakia to the U.K. two years later. After the war, the family returned to Czechoslovakia but fled to the United States after a Communist coup in 49. Albright would attend Wellesley College, and then earn a PhD at Columbia University. After that, he served as a staffer on Capitol Hill under President Jimmy Carter.
Bill Clinton appointed Albright his ambassador to United Nations in 1993. She held that position until 1997. In a unanimous vote, the Senate approved Albright’s nomination to be secretary of state.
Albright was a fierce defender for human rights and led U.S. diplomatic efforts in the Middle East and Balkans. She also pushed to expand NATO in order to fill the void left by the collapse of the Soviet Union in central Europe. During her tenure, the Czech Republic, Hungary, and Poland all joined the alliance. He said that Albright was a major reason NATO is still strong and galvanized today.
She was intelligent, hard-working, and talented. She was a good comedian. She had a great sense of humor.
He recalled his time as the top Democrat in the Senate Foreign Relations Committee under Albright’s presidency. He called her an “incomparable ally” and “incomparable adviser” on international policy issues around the world. He said that she made sure young women knew they were welcome at all the tables that dealt with national security.
She didn’t help only other women. Hillary Clinton stated that Madeleine spent her whole life helping, cajoling and inspiring others. Let us honour Madeleine’s legacy and be the nation she loved and served. And let us live like she did, in a rush to do the best we can with every season under heaven.
After leaving office, Albright went back to Georgetown University to teach and continued active participation in Democratic politics. She advised Hillary Clinton during her 2008 presidential bid. In 2012, Obama presented her with the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
Mr. Biden stated Wednesday that Albright understood that America’s story was hers.
She loved to talk about America as the “indispensable nation.” He said that the expression was not meant to be a declaration of arrogance. It was a gratitude for all the country had done for her. It was her belief in America’s endless potential and the power of America that made it possible for her to see the limitless possibilities around the globe.
Her family announced that Albright passed away on March 23, after a long battle with cancer.
“We love you, Madeleine. We miss you. Clinton concluded his remarks by saying, “But I hope we never cease hearing you.” “Just sit on your shoulder and nag until you do the right thing.”