Pelosi Statement on Passing of Secretary Madeleine Albright

San Francisco – Speaker Nancy Pelosi issued the following statement on the passing of former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright:

"Today, our nation and the world lost a towering champion for peace, diplomacy and democracy: Secretary Madeleine Albright. Her historic tenure as our nation's first woman to serve as our top diplomat paved the way for generations of women to serve at the highest levels of our government and represent America abroad.

"Secretary Albright's family arrived in Ellis Island as refugees in 1948, and she rose to become a barrier-breaking leader on the world stage. As Ambassador to the United Nations and Secretary of State, she was a force in advancing America's security. After her distinguished career in public office, our nation benefited from her continued service as a professor at Georgetown University – sharing her hard-earned wisdom and experience to help shape the next generation of diplomats and leaders. Her prescient warnings about the rise of autocracy remain an important guide and resource as we work to defend democracy at home and abroad.

"Secretary Albright truly blessed our nation with her patriotic service. May it be a comfort to her daughters, Alice, Anne and Katherine, and all of her loved ones that so many in the Congress, across our nation and around the world mourn their loss and pray with them during this sad time."