ABC News’ Kirit Radia reports: Secretary of State Hillary Clinton had a rare emotional moment this morning, fighting back tears as she spoke about a young diplomat killed in Ethiopia earlier this year during his first tour abroad.
“Brian Adkins was a smart, talented, and generous young man, everything that his country looks for in a foreign service officer. Wherever he went, he made an impression and he made a difference,” Clinton said of the 25 year old, her voice cracking and her eyes welling up.
Today Clinton added Adkins’ name and those of two other diplomats who died abroad to a wall honoring diplomats killed in service. Before her remarks, Secretary Clinton met with the Adkins family who attended the unveiling ceremony.
Brian’s father, Dan, told ABC News today his son was “a very giving caring ambitious person.”
“He loved his country, he loved his job, he loved his family,” his father said.
Brian Adkins spoke several languages fluently and worked to put himself through college. He graduated from George Washington University’s Elliot School of International Affairs in 2007.
“His favorite part of his job was knowing that anywhere in the world that he wanted to go his ticket was learn their language,” Dan Adkins said.
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