History

• In 1789, the Department of Foreign Affairs was renamed and revised to become the Department of State. The Department of State was established in order to handle both domestic responsibilities and the foreign responsibilities of the Department of Foreign Affairs. The Secretary of State is the head of the Department of State. Six of the previous 66 Secretaries of State have gone on to become Presidents of the United States.
  
  

Foreign Duties

• The Secretary of State is responsible for high-level negotiations with other nations. This can be done bilaterally or in cooperation with an international organization. This also includes the interpretation and termination of international treatises and agreements. The Secretary ensures American citizens the protection of the U.S. government when they are traveling in other countries and participates in the passport processes. The Secretary also provides reports to Congress and the American people regarding foreign policy matters.
  
  

Domestic Duties

• A large portion of the domestic duties have been reallocated to other departments from the Department of State. The Secretary still remains responsible for the custody of the Great Seal of the United States and being a part of protocol functions of the White House. The Secretary can also be asked to prepare presidential proclamations. Negotiations with individual States regarding the extradition of fugitives to other countries is also handled by the Secretary of State.
  
  

The United States Foreign Service

• The U.S. Foreign Service is a part of the Department of State, and therefore, the Secretary oversees its operations. The Foreign Service has approximately 12,000 employees in the United States and internationally. These employees take care of the diplomatic events of the United States whether they are held at home or around the world. The Secretary of State oversees the management of the Foreign Service and its employees.
  
  

Former Secretaries of State

• Hillary Clinton is the current U.S. Secretary of State, with Condoleezza Rice being her predecessor. There have only been three women Secretaries of State, with Madeleine Albright being the first in 1997. Famous founding fathers Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, James Monroe and John Quincy Adams all served in the office of Secretary of State. Cordell Hull was the longest serving Secretary of State with 11 years in the position. He served under the presidency of Franklin D. Roosevelt.