The passing of retired General Colin Powell, the first Black U.S. secretary of state, is a blow to America and to the world.

Secretary Powell was a tremendous man whose monumental achievements I hope are an example to everyone of how successful you can be with hard work and dedication.

Let us pray for the family of Secretary Powell and pay homage to his legacy and service to our country while we encourage our young men and women who are either active military or are in the future, military bound, there are no limits to success through hard work, as evidenced by Secretary Powell’s meteoric rise.