Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata has issued the following statement honoring the first African American Secretary of State Colin Powell who has died from complications of Covid-19.
“As a member of President George W. Bush’s advisory commission on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, I had an opportunity to meet with Secretary Colin Powell and greatly admired his broad knowledge of Pacific issues. General Powell led a life of leadership and service to the United States. His highest government role was U.S. Secretary of State in President George W. Bush’s administration, and he holds the distinction of being the first African American Secretary of State.
“During his service as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, he was influential as President George H. W. Bush led a coalition to undo Iraq’s illegal aggression against Kuwait.
“He also served as National Security Advisor. In later life, he continued in an elder statesman role, occasionally choosing to speak out only on issues he saw as particularly important. He was a devoted family man, husband, father, and grandfather. May God bless his family during this time, as the nation honors his memory.”
