Secretary of state, signing off - Washington Post

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 Feb. 1, 2013
State Department staff gather to say goodbye to Hillary Rodham Clinton, who made her departure as secretary of state official in a letter to President Obama on Friday.
Melina Mara / The Washington Post
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 Feb. 1, 2013
Clinton spoke to State Department employees for seven minutes. “Please know that I hope you will redouble your efforts to do all that you can to demonstrate unequivocally why diplomacy and development are right up there with defense,” Clinton told the crowd.
Melina Mara / The Washington Post

 Feb. 1, 2013
State Department employees line a balcony to listen to the outgoing secretary of state.
Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images

Feb. 1, 2013
Clinton says farewell to State Department staff members. Clinton has traveled nearly a million miles during her four-year tenure as secretary of state.
Melina Mara / The Washington Post

 Feb. 1, 2013
State Department employees sometimes interrupted Clinton with cheers and whoops during her farewell speech.
Melina Mara / The Washington Post

 Feb. 1, 2013
Clinton shakes hands with Deputy Secretary of State Thomas Nides.
Kevin Lamarque / Reuters

Feb. 1, 2013 
Clinton speaks to State Department officials and employees on her final day.
J. Scott Applewhite / AP

 Feb. 1, 2013
Clinton bids adieu to staff members in the lobby of the State Department.
JIM LO SCALZO / European Pressphoto Agency

Feb. 1, 2013 
Clinton poses for a few parting snapshots.
Melina Mara / The Washington Post

Feb. 1, 2013 
Clinton waves as she leaves the State Department for last time as the United States’ top diplomat. Clinton, who fell short in her bid for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2008, gave no hint as to whether she plans to pursue another elective office.
J. Scott Applewhite / AP


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