Statement by Secretary Condoleezza Rice
Berlin, Germany
June 24, 2008
Condolences for Our Colleagues in Iraq
The attack in Sadr City that killed State Department employee Steven L. Farley, along with Department of Defense
civilian and military personnel today, is a terrible reminder of the dangers that our colleagues face daily in advancing
our critical foreign policy goals.
Steven Farley's devotion to public service was reflected in his many years of duty in the United States Navy Reserve,
and to his hometown of Guthrie, Oklahoma. Farley was mobilized shortly after September 11th, and served with distinction
on the staff of the U.S. Seventh Fleet in the western Pacific.
Along with thousands of other citizen-patriots, he volunteered to serve in Iraq, joining the State Department in April
2007. He was one of the hundreds of dedicated men and women serving on Provincial Reconstruction Teams, helping the
citizens of Iraq to rebuild and revitalize their local governments after years of Saddam's tyranny.
Our heartfelt sympathy and gratitude go out to Steven Farley's family and his wife Donna, and to the numerous men and
women who worked alongside him in Iraq. I have conveyed my sympathy to Ambassador Ryan Crocker; I salute the courage and
commitment of all of our colleagues in Iraq.
2008/T19-4
Released on June 24, 2008
ENDS