	ESTA & Visa Waiver Program American Citizen Services U.S. Visa Information Immigrant Visa Section Travel to the U.S. Study in the U.S. Press and Culture U.S. Embassy Programs American Reference Center Publications Doing Business with the U.S. GEI/SNAP Recruitment Services Foreign Agricultural Service America.gov Fulbright Commission Frequently Asked Questions
	Contact Us

Remarks for Swearing In

William C. Eacho, III, U.S. Ambassador-designate to
Austria

Good morning, ladies and gentlemen, friends and family:

I'd like to thank Deputy Secretary Lew, for your kind words, and for joining us this morning.

In our country's early years, Benjamin Franklin, an early diplomat himself, was the first to argue for the exchange of envoys between the United States and Austria.

It is therefore fitting that we gather in the room named in his honor to continue a tradition which began in 1838.

It is indeed an incredible honor to be standing before you today, as the personal representative of the President of the United States to the Republic of Austria.

I would like to thank President Obama for the confidence he has expressed in me, and thank Secretary Clinton for her leadership and for her support as I enter what I am sure will be the most demanding, exhilarating, and rewarding years of my life.

I have certainly led a fortunate life. But nothing defines success so much as the relationships that sustain us and enhance our lives, and on that score I could not have been more fortunate.

I will be taking on this challenge accompanied by my fabulous wife Donna. She could not be more supportive, as always.

Twenty-five years ago, on July 4th, we enjoyed our first date nearby on the National Mall, and enjoyed the fireworks. She is the best.

My three sons are also excited by this opportunity: Doug, Greg, and David. Doug and David are here today, and David will outshine all of us in public diplomacy as he starts school in Vienna next week.

I know Greg is disappointed he could not join us, as he bonds with other incoming Duke freshmen rafting down a river in North Carolina this week.

To travel such a journey requires the help of many. Allow me to introduce my two sisters, Pam Clark and Peggy Ann Fechnay, both here today with their families.

We are a close family, and I could not be happier to have them here.

I should also mention that today is Pam's birthday and her daughter Kimberly's, and I am thrilled that they would travel from Michigan to spend it with us.

I would also like to thank the incredible professionals at the State Department for their support and help in preparing me.

I have had the opportunity to see our country's finest at work in this building over the last several weeks, and I can tell you they are truly impressive.

Our Foreign Service professionals have the commitment and dedication of the military, deploying wherever their country asks. And they are uniformly among our country's best and brightest.

I am pleased to see Ambassador Morningstar and Ambassador Polt. Thank you both for coming.

The civil service team that backs them up are equally dedicated. They work long hours and put their country first.

I'd like to single out my fantastic desk officer, Yvette Saint-Andre, and the schedulers who have kept me booked since late May, Jenny Hoover and Andrea Richter.

I'd also like to thank my Post Management Officer team, Susan Mutschler, Linda Goff and Tom Widenhouse, for helping to prepare me.

And I must mention the two Ambassadors who led our Ambassadorial Seminar: Rose Likens and Bill Wood, two true professionals.

And I also thank Maria Schamber, Sharon Hardy and Sharon Bisdee for their help putting on this event.

I'd like to thank Austrian Charge d'Affaires Riecken and so many of his team for joining us today. Herzlich Wilkommen und Vielen Dank, dass Sie gekommen sind. and thank Charge Riecken and Ambassador Prosl for their hospitality this past Friday; they took me to lunch just after I was confirmed, to celebrate.

In many ways, our goals are the same, we both want to build strong ties between the people of Austria and the people of the US. May we both find success in that endeavor.

As many of you know, I am passionate about making this world a better place for future generations.

You also know that I am passionate about this country, and our reputation in the world. And now I have the opportunity to contribute personally to enhancing that reputation.

The United States and Austria have a healthy partnership, based on common values. We both share a commitment to addressing the ominous threats of climate change and nuclear proliferation, a support for human rights and the rule of law. We share a vision of peace and freedom for all.

In Cairo, President Obama spoke of the need to work together on common challenges. He said, "Recognizing our common humanity is only the beginning of our task. Words alone cannot meet the needs of our people. These needs will be met only if we act boldly in the years ahead;

nd if we understand that the challenges we face are shared, and our failure to meet them will hurt us all.

For we have learned from recent experience that when a financial system weakens in one country, prosperity is hurt everywhere.

When a new flu infects one human being, all are at risk.

When one nation pursues a nuclear weapon, the risk of nuclear attack rises for all nations.

When violent extremists operate in one stretch of mountains, people are endangered across an ocean.

When innocents are slaughtered in Bosnia and Darfur, that is a stain on our collective conscience.

That is what it means to share this world in the 21st century.

That is the responsibility we have to one another as human beings."

Our friends in Austria recognize the challenges we face to build a world which is cleaner, safer, with a brighter future for our children.

As we go forward, let us not shrink from facing those challenges together.

In the coming year, I believe Austria will be seated next to the U.S. on the U.N. Security Council.

I am confident we will work closely in that arena as well as in others.

My parents, who are no longer with us, would be quite proud to see me take this oath today. I am pleased so many who knew and loved them are here today.

They both served our country in uniform, and I was raised to honor and respect those who serve, whether in uniform or otherwise.

I pledge to do my best to represent you well, and to so honor all those who serve and have served our country.

Thank you all for coming today, for your friendship and support, and, most of all, for the honor of representing you in Austria.

May God bless and guide us all.

Privacy Notice and Disclaimer

e-mail: embassy@usembassy.at