President Joseph Biden and his wife Jill said they were "deeply saddened" by the death of former Secretary of State Colin Powell, who died Monday at age 84, due to complications from multiple myeloma, a cancer of the plasma cells that inhibits the immune response, coupled with COVID-19.
Powell, the son of immigrants, was born in New York City, raised in Harlem and the South Bronx, graduated from the City College of New York, rose to the highest ranks of the U.S. military and advised four presidents.
"He believed in the promise of America because he lived it. And he devoted much of his life to making that promise a reality for so many others," President Biden said in a statement released by the White House.
He also recalled that as a senator he worked closely with him when he served as national security adviser, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and secretary of state. And that during all those years working together, even when we disagreed, "Colin was always someone who gave his best and treated me with respect.
"Colin embodied the highest ideals of both the warrior and the diplomat. He was committed to the strength and ??security of our nation. Having fought in wars, he understood better than anyone that military power alone was not enough to maintain our peace and prosperity," he said.
He also noted that Colin led with personal commitment and the democratic values that strengthen the country. "Time and time again, he put country before self, before party, before everything, in uniform and out, and he earned the universal respect of the American people."
He explained that the general repeatedly broke down racial barriers, blazing a trail for others to follow in Federal Government service.
"I will be eternally grateful for your support of my candidacy for president and our shared battle for the soul of the nation. I will miss being able to call upon your wisdom in the future."
Finally, both the president and his wife sent their condolences to their children, Linda, Annemarie and Michael, their grandchildren and the entire Powell family. "Our nation mourns with you. Colin Powell was a good man. He will be remembered as one of our great Americans."
Several countries have expressed their condolences to both Powell's family and the U.S. government for the loss of the official.
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