Sen. Cruz Introduces Rex Tillerson: 'A Strong Candidate to Lead Our State Department As We Face the Monumental Task of Restoring America’s Influence Across the World'
A serious man, who understands the value of perseverance, and knows what it takes to accomplish difficult tasks
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) introduced native Texan and Secretary of State nominee Rex Tillerson at his confirmation hearing before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee this morning.
A complete transcript of Sen. Cruz’s remarks are below, and a video of his remarks can be viewed here.
“Good morning. I’m very glad to be part of introducing my fellow Texan, and Secretary of State-designate Rex Tillerson to my colleagues in the Senate Foreign Relations Committee today.
“As many of you know, Rex is a Texan, born and raised in Wichita Falls and is a proud Texas Longhorn. Both John and I would think that’s plenty enough to secure his spot as our next Secretary of State. But we suspect that a few of you might set the hurdles a little higher for this one.
“The good news is, that is only the beginning of a long, substantive list of qualifications, achievements, and international relationships that Rex brings to the table – a list that I believe has prepared him to be a strong candidate to lead our State Department as we face the monumental task of restoring America’s influence across the world. This is no easy task. We live in a dangerous world, and, after eight years of foreign policy weakness and appeasement, our friends no longer trust us and our enemies no longer fear us.
“Rex Tillerson is a serious man, who understands the value of perseverance, and he knows what it takes to accomplish difficult tasks. From an early age, he worked to climb the ranks in Boy Scouts to become an Eagle Scout. He started as a production engineer at Exxon in 1975, eventually climbing his way to the top as CEO of the Fortune 10 company. At Exxon, he led one of the world’s most respected companies, with over 75,000 employees and over $390 billion in revenue. Exxon, a proud Texas company, does business in 52 countries, and Rex has traveled the globe, negotiating business deals with world leaders, effectively advocating for the interests of his company, shareholders, and employees.
“The numerous achievements that Rex has earned don’t come without hard work, dedication, and passion for one’s mission. That is the work ethic and spirit that America needs in its Secretary of State. That is the attitude that gives me confidence in the opportunity that Rex has to chart a different, better, stronger course for our country’s national security and diplomacy.
“We need a Secretary of State who understands that America is exceptional, who will establish policies upon that foundation of exceptionalism, who will put America’s interests first. Repeatedly, President Obama used the United Nations to try to circumvent the will of Congress and the American people; I look forward to a President and Secretary of State who will instead vigorously defend U.S. sovereignty. I believe that Rex has an incredible opportunity to defend the foreign-policy principles upon which President-elect Trump campaigned—to strengthen our friendships and alliances and to defeat our enemies—and I look forward to our working with him as we restore American leadership across the globe.”
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