*EPF507 01/19/01
Text: Albright's Remarks on Death of Ambassador Leonard Woodcock
(Was first U.S. ambassador to People's Republic of China) (270)

Following is the text of Secretary of State Madeleine Albright's remarks upon the death of Leonard Woodcock, the first U.S. ambassador to the People's Republic of China (PRC):

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DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Office of the Spokesman

January 18, 2001

STATEMENT BY SECRETARY OF STATE MADELEINE K. ALBRIGHT

DEATH OF AMBASSADOR LEONARD WOODCOCK

America has lost a distinguished leader and a trusted advisor to American Presidents from Jimmy Carter to Bill Clinton. Many of us at the State Department have lost a friend and a mentor. Leonard Woodcock, a son of the American labor movement, was the ideal choice to represent the United States as our first Ambassador to the People's Republic of China. With patience, skill and a low-key style born of long, late-night sessions negotiating on behalf of America's working men and women, he helped guide the American and Chinese governments toward the establishment of ties that have well served the interests of our two peoples. His key role then, and subsequently, revealed the tremendous confidence and trust bestowed upon him by leaders in both Washington and Beijing.

All of us at the Department of State and elsewhere who had the pleasure of working with Ambassador Woodcock benefited from his rich experience and mourn his loss. I offer my condolences to his wife and entire family.

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(Distributed by the Office of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)
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