Madeleine Albright became the first woman on January 9, 1996 to go before a Senate Confirmation hearing to become U.S. Secretary of State. Secretary of State Warren Christopher introduced Albright by praising her as a “magnificent choice…master of the one-liner…[and]…Her contention that ‘at times Warren Christopher seems almost lifelike.'” Albright emphasized that her priorities included human rights world-wide, an effective United Nations, and the continued involvement of the United States in world affairs. She commented, “We must be more than an audience, more even than actors. We must be the authors of the history of our age.” Albright also pledged full cooperation with the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
Albright is expected to easily gain confirmation, perhaps as early as January 20.
