First Female U.S. Secretary of State Albright Passes Away... Biden Calls Her a "Great Champion of Freedom"

[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy New York=Special Correspondent Joselgina] The funeral of former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, the first female U.S. Secretary of State, was held on the 27th (local time) at the Washington DC National Cathedral, attended by a large number of U.S. political and government figures including President Joe Biden. Former Secretary Albright passed away at the age of 84 last month on the 23rd due to cancer, her chronic illness.

In his eulogy, President Biden stated, "She changed the course of history," and added, "There was no greater advocate for freedom in the 20th and 21st centuries than Albright."

He also mentioned, "She loved talking about America as an indispensable nation," and "That was a gratitude for all that was possible in this country, and a testament to her belief in the limitless possibilities that only America could open to the world."

President Biden said he received the news of Albright’s passing aboard Air Force One while en route to Europe to attend the NATO summit, adding, "The reason the NATO alliance is so strong today is because of Albright."

Born in 1937 into a Jewish family in Prague, the capital of Czechoslovakia, former Secretary Albright was a 'political refugee' who came to the United States at the age of 11 to escape Nazi and communist regimes. She was appointed as the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations during the Bill Clinton administration and later became the first woman to hold the position of Secretary of State, overseeing U.S. foreign policy. Her confirmation vote in the U.S. Senate passed unanimously with 99 in favor and 0 against.

The funeral was attended by about 1,400 people, including President Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who appointed her, former President Barack Obama and his wife, former Vice President Al Gore, among others, to pay their respects. President Biden wiped away tears during the memorial service.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.