Secretary of State Hillary Clinton Speaks at Gaston on Human Rights

Dec 14 2009

Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton addressed Georgetown University students and faculty in Gaston Hall on Monday afternoon. She discussed the Obama administration's human rights agenda for the 21st century. Photos by Hoya Staff Photographer Web Leslie.

In a packed Gaston Hall on the first day of finals period, members of the university community listen to Clinton's remarks on human rights. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton's speech, "The Human Rights Agenda for the 21st Century," took place in Gaston Hall Monday afternoon. Jasdeep Singh (SFS '10) introduces University President John J. DeGioia. DeGioia introduces Clinton.
SFS Dean Carol Lancaster, Clinton and Singh look on as DeGioia speaks. University President John J. DeGoia greets Clinton at the podium. Clinton's speech was timed with the 61-year anniversary of the signing of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Clinton emphasized the U.S. commitment to human rights, democracy and development in her speech.
“The rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness … [are] the prerequisite for building a world in which every person has the opportunity to live up to his or her God-given potential and the power behind every movement for freedom,” Clinton said Monday. Members of the audience were given the opportunity to ask questions of Clinton following her remarks. Clinton affirmed the U.S. commitment to human rights: "This week we celebrate human rights week, but at the State Department, every week is human rights week." Clinton called upon the Georgetown community to contribute to the task of expanding human rights worldwide.