I first had the honor of knowing Madeleine when we were colleagues on Zbignew Brzezinski’s National Security Council staff in the Carter Administration.  She handled congressional relations for us — always with her characteristic wisdom, grace, and good humor.  I was a more distant colleague in the Clinton Administration when I was Vice Chair of the National Intelligence Council and she became the first woman to serve as Secretary of State.  Along the way, I always looked forward to seeing her — and listening to her speak — at Washington events.  She was a fierce American patriot in the way that perhaps only an immigrant can be, but always with a vision of how the country could live up to its highest aspirations. 

What I remember most, aside from her wise counsel, was her humility, Soon after the fall of communism, I was leading a tour of Europe for Council on Foreign Relations members, including Madeleine.  We were going from eastern Germany to Prague, and the driver, a German, got lost getting into the city.  So we did directions by tag team, Madeleine asking in Czech, then translating into English for me, and me trying to convey the message in German to the bus driver. 

I will remember her fondly and miss her.  We all will. 
—
Gregory F. Treverton