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September 30, 1993

This photograph was inscribed by President Bill Clinton and Vice President Al Gore on the occasion of Powell's retirement as 12th Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. General Powell was the first African American to serve as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs. He was appointed under President George H. W. Bush and continued to serve under President Clinton until retiring from the Army in 1993. This photograph hung in the receiving room of the Powell family's residence in McLean, Virginia.

A framed black-and-white photograph of General Colin L. Powell with President Bill Clinton and Vice President Al Gore. This photograph (a) captures the 12th Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Powell (center), President Bill Clinton (right), and Vice President Al Gore (left) standing close together, in the middle of a meeting at the White House, in Washington, D.C. General Powell is dressed in one of his four-star General Service uniforms and listens intently, with his head tilted, to President Clinton speaking. To General Powell’s proper right stands Vice President Gore, wearing a dark suit, white shirt, and patterned necktie. President Clinton wears a white shirt and dark necktie and holds papers in both of his hands, with a pen between his proper left fingers. Behind and between General Powell and President Clinton Defense Secretary Les Aspin is partially visible.
In the bottom sheet of the photograph are two handwritten inscriptions. On the left in black ink is: [With deepest respect / and thanks, Al Gore]. On the right in black ink is: [To Colin – with thanks for your 35 years of service to / a grateful nation, for your concern for / America’s men and women in uniform, / for your valuable, vigilant, and good-humored / advice to me as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs / Bill Clinton 9-30-93]. The inscriptions are dated the last day of General Powell’s position as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the first African American appointed to such role. In the rectangular window mat below the photograph is a typed quote by Founding Father and US President, Thomas Jefferson: [“… with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, / we mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes and our / sacred Honor,” / THOMAS JEFFERSON]. The photograph (a) is set behind a light grey square window mat and housed inside of a goldish silver, deep set, wooden frame (b). The reverse of the frame is covered by a light brown craft paper sheet without markings where there are screw-in hanging hooks, and a silver hanging wire.

National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

Memorabilia and Ephemera - Other
Photographs and Still Images

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Alma J. Powell

National Museum of African American History and Culture

A2022.101.1.7ab

frames (furnishings)
black-and-white photographs
photographs

Public Domain
Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.

(a) ink on photographic paper
(b) wood , glass and cardboard

H x W x D (frame): 19 5/8 × 16 15/16 × 1 in. (49.8 × 43 × 2.5 cm)

Object Name • Photograph of Gen. Colin Powell with President Clinton and Vice Pres. Al Gore

nmaahc_A2022.101.1.7ab

NMAAHC

PHOTOGRAPH OF GEN. COLIN POWELL WITH PRESIDENT CLINTON AND VICE PRES. AL GORE

National Museum of African American History and Culture

CC0

1990s

Clinton, Bill • Aspen, Les • The White House • Gore, Al • Powell, Colin L.

District of Columbia • United States • North and Central America • Washington

Photography • Government • Politics • U.S. History, 1969-2001 • Military

City • Washington • State • District of Columbia • Country • United States • Continent • North and Central America

Frames • Photographs

Images

No Known Copyright Restrictions