FMR. U.S. SECRETARIES OF STATE PLEDGE SUPPORT TO MCCAIN
Wednesday, April 11, 2007 at 06:11AM ARLINGTON, VA – U.S. Senator John McCain’s presidential campaign today announced that former United States Secretaries of State Henry Kissinger, General Alexander Haig, Lawrence Eagleburger and George Shultz have endorsed Senator John McCain for President. These distinguished leaders served the last five Republican presidents.
Henry Kissinger served as U.S. Secretary of State from 1973 to 1977, while also serving as Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs from 1969 to 1975. After leaving government service, he became founder and chairman of Kissinger Associates, an international consulting firm. From 1954 until 1971 Kissinger was a faculty member of Harvard University, both in the Department of Government and at the Center for International Affairs. He received the 1973 Nobel Peace Prize. Kissinger has also received the Veterans of Foreign Wars Dwight D. Eisenhower Distinguished Service Medal and the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
“The world’s challenges are radically changing and our country needs John McCain’s experience and optimism,” said Kissinger. “His record, character, and belief that America’s best days lie ahead make John McCain the right leader for these times.”
General Alexander M. Haig served as U.S. Secretary of State from 1981 to 1982. Under President Gerald R. Ford, General Haig served as Commander-in-Chief of the U.S. European Command and later as NATO’s Supreme Allied Commander in Europe. He also served as President Ford’s Chief of Staff. Under President Nixon, Haig served as White House Chief of Staff, Vice Chief of Staff of the Army and Deputy Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs. As a business leader, General Haig served as president and chief operating officer of United Technologies Corporation and as a senior adviser to several other multinational corporations. He is chairman of Worldwide Associates, Inc., a strategic domestic and international consulting firm.
“During this global struggle against terrorism, our country needs a leader who will pursue diplomacy and security with a steady hand,” said General Haig. “John McCain is a leader with a vision for a more prosperous, secure America.”
George P. Shultz served as U.S. Secretary of State from 1982 to 1989. Prior to his appointment, Shultz was chairman of President Ronald Reagan’s Economic Policy Advisory Board. During the Nixon Administration, he served as Secretary of the Treasury, Secretary of Labor, Chairman of the Council on Economic Policy and Director of the Office of Management and Budget. In 1989, he rejoined Stanford University as the Jack Steele Parker Professor of International Economics at the Graduate School of Business and a distinguished fellow at the Hoover Institution. He currently serves as chairman of the California Governor’s Council of Economic Advisors and co-chairman of the Committee on the Present Danger. He has received the Medal of Freedom,the Seoul Peace Prize, the Eisenhower Medal for Leadership and Service and the Reagan Distinguished American Award. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1942 through 1945.
“John McCain is a passionate leader who believes in the inherent benefits of freedom and liberty,” said Shultz. “He understands the enormous threat terrorism poses to our way of life and is prepared to fight and win this war from the first day he steps foot in office.”
Lawrence S. Eagleburger served as U.S. Secretary of State from 1992 to 1993, capping an early four decade foreign-service career. In addition, Eagleburger served in the State Department as Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs, Assistant Secretary of State for European Affairs, U.S. Ambassador to Yugoslavia and Deputy Under Secretary of State for Management. Eagleburger also chaired the International Commission on Holocaust Era Insurance Claims, which awarded more than $300 million to Holocaust victims and their families from European insurance companies that had not paid on insurance policies held by those victims. Eagleburger has been awarded an honorary knighthood from Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, the Presidential Citizens Medal and the Department of State’s Distinguished Service Award.
“John McCain has spent his life serving this country on the battle field and in Congress,” said Eagleburger. “As our country adjusts to new challenges, John McCain’s experience and record as a common sense conservative make him the best candidate for our country’s future.”
Senator John McCain stated that he was proud of the support he received from these highly regarded leaders. “These are Americans who selflessly led our country into a modern era of security and stability, and I am proud to have their support,” said McCain. “We share optimism in America and dedication to winning the war on terror.”