WEBVTT

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(audience applause)

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- Well, thank you ladies and gentlemen

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for having me here today.

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It's a great day in
this corner of America,

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that we always call paradise.

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And you can look out
behind me and see why.

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Admiral Harris, Admiral
Davidson, allies and partners

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joining us from overseas,
distinguished guests.

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So many of you, I won't repeat
what Admiral Harris said,

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but it's an honor to have all of you here

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with the members of the
Pacific Command team

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and I think you can tell
a lot about a person

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by the company he keeps

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and it's a sign of Admiral
Harris' attentive leadership,

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as well as Pacific Command relevance,

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that so many nations have traveled so far

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to send representatives to join us.

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Today, we honor Admiral Harris'
10 years as the commander

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and welcome Admiral
Davidson to his new role,

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as the commander of US Pacific Command.

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And I want to add my words
of thanks to the wives

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who are here today.

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Bruni, thank you so much
for being the steady anchor

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that you have been for over
four decades of service

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to the US Navy and our nation,

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and that success is truly a
testament to Harry's character,

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but also your family's character.

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And through good times and bad,

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we are deeply appreciative.

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Tracy Davidson, welcome to you,

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the burden once more shifts to your family

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at a time you might have
other designs in mind,

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but we are grateful.

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I think you will find
Hawaii really is paradise,

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despite the occasional volcano

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that the beloved Tutu Pele
may bring to the islands.

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For US Pacific Command,

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it is our primary combat and command.

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It's standing watch and intimately engaged

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with over half of the Earth's surface

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and its diverse populations.

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From Hollywood to Bollywood,

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from polar bears to penguins,

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as Admiral Harris puts it.

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Having grown up in Washington state,

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one of five American states
with Pacific Ocean coastlines

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and looking out the
planes window yesterday,

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coming across that vast expanse of ocean,

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in my flight here, I was
reminded that the United States

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is today and has been for two
centuries, a Pacific nation.

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America's national defense
strategy is a road map

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for the American military

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and it acknowledges this reality.

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Taking a clear eyed look
at the world as it is,

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not how we would wish it to be.

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Our 2018 national defense strategy

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is the first of its kind in a decade

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and it acknowledges the Pacific challenges

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and signals America's resolve

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and lasting commitment
to the Indo-Pacific.

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America's vision shared by
most nations in the region,

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for every state sovereignty is respected,

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no matter its size

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and it's a region open to investment

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and free, fair, and reciprocal trade,

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not bound by any nations
predatory economics

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or threat of coercion,

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for the Indo-Pacific has
many belts and many roads.

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America continues to invest vigorously

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in Indo-Pacific stability,

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bolstering the free and open
rules based international order

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that has enabled this region to grow

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and thrive for over 70 years.

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While we are prepared to face any

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who would seek to challenge
America's resolve,

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our national defense strategy

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is not a strategy of confrontation.

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Rather, it is a balance of

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idealism, pragmatism, and cooperation.

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We will to continue to
seek out opportunities

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for cooperation and open
dialogue with our competitors,

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when it aligns with our
international interests

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and the interests of allies,
partners, and stability.

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And we will always be seeking

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peace from a position of strength.

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We will also continue
further strengthening

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existing alliances and fostering new

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partnerships in the region,

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for these form a fundamental cornerstone

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of our strategic vision.

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A shared vision respectful
of all nation's sovereignty

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and allowing us to reinforce

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a resilient security architecture

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capable of confronting shared threats,

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be they terrorism or an
inhibition of free trade,

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or humanitarian disasters
that can befall any nation.

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Relationships with our
Indian and Pacific Ocean

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allies and partners have proven critical

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to maintaining regional stability.

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We stand by our partners

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and support their sovereign decisions

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because all nations large and small

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are essential to the region

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if we are to sustain
stability in ocean areas

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critical to global peace.

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Further, in recognition of
the increasing connectivity,

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the Indian and Pacific Oceans,

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today we rename the US Pacific Command

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to US Indo-Pacific Command.

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Over many decades, this
command has repeatably

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adapted to changing circumstance

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and today, carries that legacy forward

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as America focuses west.

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Admiral Harris, since you
took the helm here in 2015,

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you have steered a steady ship

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amid often shifting ocean currents.

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You anticipated our nations
need with remarkable foresight,

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while making common cause of all nations

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that live by international law.

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Those sharing a spirit of
collaboration with each other.

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Admiral, you ensured our joint forces were

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ready, capable, and lethal,

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while supporting diplomats
as our lead element

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for developing trust among nations.

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Your vigorous effort to pursue
partnerships with a purpose,

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as you so aptly put it,

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has ensured our continued
credibility and capability

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in this critical region.

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You demonstrated that the United States

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takes no relationship for granted.

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And having worked tirelessly

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to improve our multilateral relationships,

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you coordinated urgent
counter terrorism efforts

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with regional partners
confronting the threat,

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violent extremism closest to us all.

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At the same time,

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you implemented combined
patrols for maintaining

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the United Nations
Security Council Sanctions

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on North Korea.

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And concurrently, you directed
freedom of navigation patrols

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making clear that international waters

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remain open to all nations.

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Admiral Harris, the success of
these significant activities

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are due to your recognition

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of the role of international law

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and your strategic vision.

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Looking back over your
devoted service to our nation

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from your first assignment

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to patrol Squadron 44, to today,

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the Navy does not take lightly the loss of

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its Gray Owl and Old Goat,

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as the Chief of Naval
Operations commented.

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Only in the naval service could such terms

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be terms of endearment.

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So on behalf of the department,

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you depart our ranks
with our full confidence

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having demonstrated
your respect for allies,

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but you're going to need to
buy him some new suits, Bruni,

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if the senate votes to confirm,

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because you're going off on
another tour yet again together.

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She's already picked out the stores.

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(audience laughing)

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You see readiness for the fleet in action.

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(audience laughing)

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But Admiral Harris, you
leave the team in good hands

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with Admiral Davidson,

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and thank you for a job well done.

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Admiral Davidson, for you
having served around the world

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over your 36 years in uniform,

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you bring a wealth of operational
and strategic experience

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to your new role,

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as our primary guardian
of US and allied interests

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in the Indo-Pacific theater.

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As you take the helm,

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I'm confident you will embrace
the three lines of effort

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of our national defense strategy,

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increasing Indo-Pacific
Commands lethality,

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building on Admiral Harris' progress

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with our allies and partners,

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further tightening the bonds of trust

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that will enhance stability and respect

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for international law and
doing this while reforming

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any command practices that detract

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from performance and lethality.

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During your confirmation hearing,

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you expressed your commitment to devote

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the whole of your energy

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to ensuring this command is the most

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lethal and combat ready
force in our history.

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Today, America and countries across

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the broad Indo-Pacific region

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are counting on you to do just that.

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I have every confidence in your ability

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to carry out your duties with the

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grit, wisdom, and skill you have shown

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throughout your career.

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Thank you and I'll see you in Singapore.

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(audience applause)