Reps. Ami Bera, Raja Krishnamoorthy and Ro Khanna remember the decorated general.
Vice President Kamala Harris and three Indian members of Congress paid tribute to Gen. Colin Powell, who passed away due complications from Covid-19 on Monday morning.
Harris, the first African American and Indian American vice president, tweeted from her official handle:
“Secretary Colin Powell was an incredible American. An independent thinker and a barrier breaker, he dedicated his life to defending our nation and always showed the world the best of who we are.”
Secretary Colin Powell was an incredible American. An independent thinker and a barrier breaker, he dedicated his life to defending our nation and always showed the world the best of who we are.
@SecondGentleman and I send our deepest condolences to his family. pic.twitter.com/L3q5132tbc— Vice President Kamala Harris (@VP) October 18, 2021
Powell, a four-star general, served as the Secretary of State during the first term of President George W. Bush. He was the first African American to become the nation’s top diplomat.
Among the many other firsts he accomplished during his illustrious career was serving as the first black national security advisor, under President Ronald Reagan. He was also the youngest and first African American Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, when President George H.W. Bush named him to those positions.
Joining Harris in offering condolences on the death of the decorated soldiers were Indian American members of Congress, Reps. Ami Bera, D-CA; Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, D-IL; and Rep. Ro Khanna, D-CA.
“Today, we mourn the loss of an American hero as we remember a lifetime of public service,” Krishnamoorthi tweeted.
Today, we mourn the loss of an American hero as we remember a lifetime of public service. https://t.co/AlCWzL7SQP
— Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (@CongressmanRaja) October 18, 2021
“Secretary Colin Powell was a trailblazer and committed public servant who dedicated his life to our nation. My thoughts are with his family and loved ones during this difficult time,” Bera, the longest serving Indian American in the US House of Representatives, tweeted.
Secretary Colin Powell was a trailblazer and committed public servant who dedicated his life to our nation. My thoughts are with his family and loved ones during this difficult time.https://t.co/cl5IsELDNH
— Ami Bera, M.D. (@RepBera) October 18, 2021
Fellow California Democrat Khanna also paid tribute to Powell: “Colin Powell led our military to victory during Desert Storm, was the first African American Secretary of State, crossed party lines and inspired millions of young people across our nation to live up to their promise.”
Colin Powell led our military to victory during Desert Storm, was the first African American Secretary of State, crossed party lines and inspired millions of young people across our nation to live up to their promise.
— Rep. Ro Khanna (@RepRoKhanna) October 18, 2021
Read the official State Department biography of Gen. Colin Powell