Speeches 2005

September 6, 2005

Ambassador William A. Eaton - Remarks at Swearing In Ceremony Benjamin Franklin Room, Department of State

Madam Secretary. . . I want to thank you and the President for the confidence you have placed in me by selecting me to be the President’s next representative to the Republic of Panama.

It is a privilege to be a member of your team, representing this great nation and the great American people.

I also want to thank all of you for joining me here today for this ceremony. I’m stunned to see so many friends here today from so many chapters of my life: from Washington, from Winchester, Dallas, Switzerland, Italy and Guyana.

I learned long ago that I’d never get rich in this profession. At least not in the monetary sense. I have, however, been blessed with a richness of friends and family. For that, and for all of you, I am truly grateful.

I suspect there are also a few of you here today must have thought that this might be an elaborate hoax, so you wanted to come to verify for yourselves whether it’s true that I’m going to Panama.

It’s true.

I have had my heart set on representing the U.S. in Panama. Not just because of its long and deep historical links with the United States. Not just because of its beauty. Not just because of the warmth and generosity of its people.

Ambassador Humbert, Ambassador Royo, DCM Lombana and Raul Romero, you have all shown me this trademark Panamanian warmth and hospitality. For that I am deeply grateful. I look forward to continuing to work with you as partners and friends.

I wanted to go to Panama because I’m convinced that this is an important and exciting time for our countries and our bilateral relations.

Over the past few years, our relationship has matured as a true partnership between sovereign nations with many common interests and challenges. I look forward to the opportunity to work with the government and people of Panama to strengthen and deepen those relationships and common interests.

President Torrijos and his administration demonstrated those bonds dramatically this past week through his personal visit to the U.S. Embassy in Panama to express his condolences for the victims of Hurricane Katrina and offer his nation’s generous donation of 60 tons of food to help those victims. For this, our nation is deeply grateful.

What is most exciting about going to Panama now is that I’m convinced that Panama is at a crossroads. Its democratically-elected government is committed to strengthening the country’s democratic institutions, creating employment opportunities to reduce poverty and unemployment, tackling the corruption that has plagued Panamanian society and economy, and building Panama into an influential regional economic player.

Working with the government and people of Panama to fulfill those visions is an opportunity of a lifetime.

We in the United States have an important stake in Panama’s success as a stable, democratic, economically prosperous and secure partner in the region.

I plan to call on many of you in this room to help us in this effort.

I can’t pass up this opportunity to embarrass my mother and my sister. They’re here today, as they have been throughout my life, as a constant source of support and love.

My mother never really understood, I don’t think, much about my career in the Foreign Legion. I mean, Foreign Service.

But she knew it’s what I wanted to do and she’s always supported it, even when it meant that I’d be moving out of town and even to other countries and sometimes into harm’s way. She’s liked the fact that both of her children these past few years have been living near her.

Even though I think she’s excited for me to be going to Panama, in her heart of hearts, I think she’d prefer that I stay here.

But my mother has lived a life of giving to others. I think that’s what hooked me on a career in public service.

When I was growing up, my mother worked 7 days a week in a hot factory, earning as much overtime as she could, seldom taking vacations or time off so she could support her family. She went without lunch to save money so that her kids could buy school yearbooks and school photos like the other kids. She bought clothes for us before she ever considered buying them for herself. She was determined that we’d have what she never had.

She inspired us both to get college degrees even though she never had that opportunity herself because she had to work from early childhood to support herself.

She taught us pride, to walk tall even through adversity.

She taught us that nothing is impossible to those who believe in themselves and the infinite possibilities of tomorrow.

Several years ago, my mother had an opportunity that most mothers only dream of. When I moved back to the States from an overseas assignment, she helped me unpack. There aren’t many mothers who have the chance to rifle through everything their grown son owns.

Today I get to do what most grown sons dream of: a chance to thank a mother publicly for her life of love and sacrifice.

Mom, today is really about you.

I wouldn’t be here today without you.

Thank you all for indulging me on this wonderful day. Thank you all for sharing this wonderful day with me.

Now, Madam Secretary, with your permission, I’m ready to go to work!