白宫
华盛顿哥伦比亚特区
2021年10月18日
 
我和吉尔（Jill）对科林·鲍威尔（Colin Powell）将军的辞世深感悲痛。他是我们的挚友，也是一位拥有无以伦比的荣誉和尊严的爱国者。 
他是移民之子，出生在纽约市（New York City），成长在哈莱姆（Harlem）和南布朗克斯（South Bronx），毕业于纽约市立学院（City College of New York），升任至美国军队最高军衔，并辅佐过四位总统。他坚信美国的承诺，因为这是他亲身经历过的。而且他将毕生精力奉献于将这一承诺付诸实现，让其他如此众多的人享有。 
我在担任参议员期间曾与他亲密共事，他时任国家安全顾问（National Security Advisor）、参谋长联席会议主席（Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff）以及国务卿（Secretary of State）。在我们多年共事期间——即便是在意见相左之时——科林也总是做出最佳努力并一贯尊重待人。 
科林体现出一名军人和一名外交官的最高境界。他首先致力于我们国家的强盛和安全。他曾在战场作战，比任何人都更懂得单凭军事威力不足以维护我们的和平与繁荣。科林身处历史最前沿，辅佐过多位总统并塑造了我们国家的政策，他秉持着对于使我们国家强大的民主价值观的个人承诺发挥了领导作用。他一次又一次地把国家置于个人、置于党派、置于其他所有一切之上——不论是戎装在身还是褪去戎装——而且这为他赢得了美国人民的普遍尊重。 
科林多次打破种族壁垒，开辟了供其他人追随的联邦政府服务之路，而且毕生致力于投入培养下一代领导人。不论是通过关心他所指挥的男女军人以及他所领导的外交人员，还是通过他与夫人阿尔玛（Alma）在美国承诺联盟（America’s Promise Alliance）共同从事的提升年轻人的工作，亦或是通过他多年领导艾森豪威尔基金会（Eisenhower Fellowships）的努力，科林的领导作用总是将重点放在未来。 
最重要的是，科林是我的朋友，常常一起开怀大笑，而且是一位在顺境和逆境中都可以信赖的知己。他可以开着他的科尔维特黄貂鱼（Corvette Stingray）跑车飞驰——我当副总统时在赛车场亲眼所见。而且我对他支持我参选总统以及我们捍卫国家灵魂的共同奋斗永远心怀感激。我今后会怀念曾经仰赖他的智慧。 
我和吉尔向阿尔玛、他们的子女琳达（Linda）、安玛莉（Annemarie）和迈克尔（Michael）、他们的孙儿孙女以及整个鲍威尔家族送去我们全部的爱与力量。我们的国家与你们共同哀悼。 
科林·鲍威尔是一个好人。 
他将作为最伟大的美国人之一被我们缅怀。 
欲查看原稿内容:  https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2021/10/18/statement-of-president-joe-biden-on-the-passing-of-general-colin-powell/

OCTOBER 18, 2021•STATEMENTS AND RELEASES
Jill and I are deeply saddened by the passing of our dear friend and a patriot of unmatched honor and dignity, General Colin Powell.  
The son of immigrants, born in New York City, raised in Harlem and the South Bronx, a graduate of the City College of New York, he rose to the highest ranks of the United States military and to advise four presidents. He believed in the promise of America because he lived it. And he devoted much of his life to making that promise a reality for so many others.
As a Senator, I worked closely with him when he served as National Security Advisor, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and as Secretary of State. Over our many years working together – even in disagreement – Colin was always someone who gave you his best and treated you with respect.
Colin embodied the highest ideals of both warrior and diplomat. He was committed to our nation’s strength and security above all. Having fought in wars, he understood better than anyone that military might alone was not enough to maintain our peace and prosperity. From his front-seat view of history, advising presidents and shaping our nation’s policies, Colin led with his personal commitment to the democratic values that make our country strong. Time and again, he put country before self, before party, before all else—in uniform and out—and it earned him the universal respect of the American people.
Having repeatedly broken racial barriers, blazing a trail for others to follow in Federal Government service, Colin was committed throughout his life to investing in the next generation of leadership. Whether through his care for the women and men serving under his command and the diplomats he led, or through the work he shared with his wife Alma at the America’s Promise Alliance to lift up young people, or through his years leading the Eisenhower Fellowships, Colin’s leadership always included a focus on future.
Above all, Colin was my friend. Easy to share a laugh with. A trusted confidant in good and hard times. He could drive his Corvette Stingray like nobody’s business—something I learned firsthand on the race track when I was Vice President. And I am forever grateful for his support of my candidacy for president and for our shared battle for the soul of the nation. I will miss being able to call on his wisdom in the future.
Jill and I are sending all our love and strength to Alma, their children, Linda, Annemarie, and Michael, their grandchildren, and the entire Powell family.  Our nation mourns with you.
Colin Powell was a good man.
He will be remembered as one of our great Americans.
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