Hunter-Garrett Anxious To Get To Work At State Department

Newly-confirmed foreign affairs deputy secretary eager to begin job

MAVOCKE, CEA--Two days after narrowly being confirmed in the Senate, Deputy Foreign Affairs Secretary Dawnelle Hunter-Garrett is anxious to get to work.

"It's such a tremendous honor for me to be working with Secretary McCaren and President Menuhaeo and I'm very excited to get to work and help build strong relationships with other countries," Hunter-Garrett told the NFP, following her swearing-in ceremony Wednesday afternoon.

Hunter, 44, was confirmed by the Senate by a vote of 47-43. In all, five Conservatives--Sens. Victoria Albright of Ceona, Dick Ammons of Harvannah, Ayden Benning of New Portsmouth, and Chuck Danbury and Robert Maclan of Armana--voted to confirm Hunter. Only three Nationalists--Brian Altamont of Damoign, Michael Kreighorn of Biereland, and Lincoln Pacinow of Wellington--voted against her nomination.

President Menuhaeo nominated Hunter to fill the deputy secretary post, a position that has been vacant since Menuhaeo took office in January. Collester Press Secretary Adam Kolbert told reporters Thursday morning that six full-time staffers were assigned to find a qualified candidate for the post, and President and Foreign Affairs Secretary Jim McCaren ultimately settled on Hunter, who formerly chaired the International Affairs department at Kinn College in Armana.

At the swearing-in ceremony, McCaren praised his colleague as a "master of the international scene" and said he looked forward to working with Ms. Hunter.

"What I see in Dawnelle is someone who immensely understands our world and the challenging circumstances facing the international community," McCaren said. "What I also see is someone who is willing to work hard and tirelessly for the security and safety of our country."

Pleasantries aside, there won't be much time to formally celebrate Hunter's addition to the department. Her first day on the job was Thursday, and she plans to spend the weekend with the president and Secretary McCaren at Warren Place in Charrington.

Hunter's admission to the administration's cabinet marks the first time in Grassadellan history a woman has served as deputy secretary of foreign affairs. Hunter joins eight other women in the administration's leadership, including five cabinet secretaries and three under-secretaries.