Susan Rice Confirmation Hearing

Opening Remarks Before Senate Foreign Relations Committee

SEN. JOHN KERRY (D-MASS.): Thank you very much, Senator Dodd. It's my pleasure, on behalf of the entire committee and the Senate, to welcome you here, Dr. Rice. We're really pleased to have you here today.

And obviously, I can see that some members of your family are here, ranging up and down the generations I see. We'd love to have you introduce them, if you would. Can you just share with us quickly who they are? And then I'd like to say a few words and I know Senator Lugar would too.

SUSAN RICE: Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

I really am very pleased and proud that my family can be here. I'd like to introduce my mother, Lois Rice; my father, Emmett Rice; my son, Jake; my daughter Maris; and my husband, Ian Cameron. They are a wonderful source of joy and support to me. And I couldn't imagine taking on this responsibility without them.

KERRY: Well, we're really happy to welcome all of you. I know how proud you are. I listen to all those youngest-ever comments. And Senator Lugar and I were up here feeling grayer and grayer.

(LAUGHTER)