Tributes Pour In For Colin Powell After First Black Secretary of State Dies From Virus Complications
Colin Powell, the first Black US secretary of state, has died from complications from Covid-19, his family said on Facebook. He was 84.
His family said: “General Colin L. Powell, former U.S. Secretary of State and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, passed away this morning due to complications from Covid 19. We have lost a remarkable and loving husband, father, grandfather and a great American. We want to thank the medical staff at Walter Reed National Medical Center for their caring treatment.”
George Bush said: “Laura and I are deeply saddened by the death of Colin Powell. He was a great public servant, starting with his time as a soldier during Vietnam.
“Many Presidents relied on General Powell’s counsel and experience. He was National Security Adviser under President Reagan, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff under my father and President Clinton, and Secretary of State during my Administration.
“He was such a favorite of Presidents that he earned the Presidential Medal of Freedom – twice.
“He was highly respected at home and abroad.
“And most important, Colin was a family man and a friend. Laura and I send Alma and their children our sincere condolences as they remember the life of a great man.”
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said that “the world lost one of the greatest leaders that we have ever witnessed. A man who was respected around the globe.”
Ari Fleischer said Powell had “such an uplifting approach to his job and life. Always laughing, always happy – he had a hard job, but he always carried it out with a can-do, upbeat approach.”
“He treated everyone he met with respect and kindness. I will miss him,” Fleischer added.
.@SecDef Austin on death of Colin Powell: "The world lost one of the greatest leaders that we have ever witnessed. Alma lost a great husband and the family lost a tremendous father. I lost a tremendous personal friend and mentor…I feel as if I have a hole in my heart." pic.twitter.com/UKTn91nlFv
— CSPAN (@cspan) October 18, 2021
"Laura and I are deeply saddened by the death of Colin Powell. He was a great public servant, starting with his time as a soldier during Vietnam." – President George W. Bush
— George W. Bush Presidential Center (@TheBushCenter) October 18, 2021
Read the full statement: https://t.co/kSlMbGelOm