African-American History Month: Colin Powell

Colin Powell (1937-)
Colin Powell is the highest–ranking African–American officer in U.S. history. The son of Jamaican immigrants, Powell rose to prominence as the youngest person and the first African American to chair the Joint Chiefs of Staff. In 1958 he entered the U.S. army and served two tours of duty during the Vietnam War.

Powell rose steadily through different ranks and positions within the government, and in 1989, Powell became a four-star general and was named chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. He was heavily involved in planning the American invasion of Panama in late 1989, and during the Persian Gulf War he played a crucial role in planning and coordinating the military victory of U.S. and allied forces.

Declining to run for the U.S. presidency in 1995, in 1997 he became chairman of America's Promise — the Alliance for Youth, a charitable organization that helps needy and at–risk American children. In 2001, Powell was appointed secretary of state by President George W. Bush. He is the first African–American to hold the post.

On February 5, 2003 U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell presented evidence to the U.N. Security Council on the U.S. case against Iraq. His testimony details information gathered on Iraq's non–compliance with disarmament agreements and its weapons of mass destruction and terrorist activities — Powell presented audio tapes and satellite photographs as proof.

He will likely be remembered for advocating the "Powell doctrine" — that U.S. military power only be used in overwhelming strength to achieve well–defined strategic national interests — while promoting "a uniquely American internationalism."

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