Photo from US Embassy Canberra
Ambassador Jeffrey Bleich was formally sworn in by U.S. Chief Justice John Roberts in a ceremony on December 20 at the White House. The event was attended by the Ambassador’s family, government officials and Elizabeth Ward, the Chargé d’Affaires of the Australian Embassy in Washington. Ambassador Bleich and Justice Roberts worked together as clerks for the former Chief Justice William Rehnquist. Note that he had his SFRC hearing on November 5, and five days later, the Senate discharged from further consideration and confirmed his nomination by unanimous consent.
Excerpt:
I haven’t been able to keep up with all of my emails since leaving the White House. As some of you know I was confirmed by the Senate on a Tuesday night at 10:15 p.m., and raced out to post soon after, and I’ve had a flood of emails and questions from many of you here. So since so many friends are here, I’d like to respond to some of those emails now.
First. Yes – to those who asked – there were actually senators on the floor at 10:15 at night on a Tuesday night. Actually I prefer Jim Messiness’ explanation for the unanimous vote that every senator, regardless of their political views, shared a desire to send me 10,000 miles away from them.
Second, thank you all for the suggestion about learning how to speak Australian. We are, after all, two great countries separated only by a common language. Becky and the kids and I have begun extensive training and, no worries, mates, we’re picking up ’strine.
Third, because we are all friends here, yes I did tighten up the security on my facebook account recently if you’ve been trying to reach me. I promise that if you stop sending me emails referencing Fosters Lager and your favorite Crocodile Dundee line, I’ll re-friend you. Finally, yes, there are guest rooms, and no you can’t actually move in until we get there first.
Read Ambassador Bleich’s full remarks.
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