For Immediate Release

Los Angeles, CA

April 11, 2006

Press Contact:

David Sommers

Phone: (213) 974-1095

Fax: (213) 626-6941

DSommers@lacbos.org

Knabe Welcomes Colin Powell to the Music Center Speakers Series

Thank you, Ambassador Glen Holden, and thank you to the Music Center for the opportunity to play a part in this Series.  It is my great honor to introduce tonight’s speaker, General Colin Powell.
 

General Powell became the 65th Secretary of State on January 20, 2001. As he stated at his confirmation hearing, the guiding principle of U.S. foreign policy during his tenure was that “America stands ready to help any country that wishes to join the democratic world.” General Powell brought extensive experience with him to his office.
Before becoming Secretary of State, Colin Powell served as a key aide to the Secretary of Defense and as National Security Advisor to President Reagan.

 
He also served 35 years in the United States Army, rising to the rank of Four-Star General and serving as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff from1989 to1993.
During this time he oversaw 29 crises including the Panama intervention of 1989 and Operation Desert Storm in 1991.
 

An outspoken leader on democratic values, Colin Powell stressed that fighting the war on terrorism is not just a military but also a diplomatic task – the two go hand in hand.
 

He led the State Department in major efforts to solve regional and civil conflicts – in the Middle East, between Israel and its Arab neighbors; in Sudan, Congo and Liberia; in the Balkans, Cyprus, Haiti, Northern Ireland and elsewhere.
 

He was especially concerned with the peace and security of Afghanistan and Iraq, countries where winning the peace is as important as Coalition battlefield victories.
 

In all areas, he used the power of diplomacy and the universal ideal of democracy to build trust, forge alliances and then begin to transform these once-unstable regions into areas where societies and cultures prosper.
He is the recipient of numerous awards and decorations including the Defense Distinguished Service Medal (with three Oak Leaf Clusters), the Bronze Star Medal, a Purple Heart, two Presidential Medals of Freedom and the Congressional Gold Medal.
 

General Powell is also the author of “My American Journey,” his best-selling autobiography. Speaking tonight on Diplomacy: Persuasion, Trust and Values, please help me welcome tonight’s speaker, General Colin Powell.
 

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