A Colin with Intestinal Fortitude!Colin Powell served under President George W. Bush as the United States secretary of state from January 20, 2001 until November 12, 2004. Prior to that he had a distinguished career in the United States Army, rising to the rank of four star general.
Powell is the son of Jamaican immigrants; he was born in New York City and raised in the South Bronx. He was the youngest person to date and the first African American to chair the Joint Chiefs of Staff (1989-1993). He was also the first African American to serve as secretary of state. Powell is a moderate Republican; he is pro-choice regarding abortion, supportive of affirmative action, and in favor of "reasonable" gun control. He is opposed to gays serving in the military.
Powell spent 35 years as a soldier. He held several commanding positions, eventually rising to the rank of 4-star General. In 1987, at the age of 49, Powell became Ronald Reagan's last National Security Advisor (1987 - 1989). Powell's final military assignment was as the 12th Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (1989 - 1993). He oversaw many military actions, including the 1991 Persian Gulf War and Desert Storm.
As secretary of state, Powell's job became critical after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks; he was put in charge of securing a coalition to fight the war on terrorism. Powell addressed a plenary session of the United Nations Security Council on February 5, 2003 to argue in favor of military action against Iraq. After he left the Bush administration, Powell said that he regretted the speech.
He announced his resignation as Secretary of State in November, 2004. The following day, National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice was nominated to replace him.
Powell was serving on the board of directors for America Online when it made the decision to merge with Time Warner in January, 2000. His son Michael was a member of the Federal Communications Commission during this time; he was the only commissioner who advocated allowing the AOL-Time Warner deal to go through without further examination. Powell's stock in the company increased by $4 million.
Powell wrote the best-selling memoir, My American Journey. In addition, he enjoys public speaking, addressing audiences around the world. Powell founded American's Promise, an organization devoted to helping children from all walks of life. | 
