On November 12, 2003, David Rockefeller presented Secretary of State Colin Powell with the George C. Marshall Foundation award at the National Building Museum in Washington, D.C. Powell rose through the ranks in the U.S. Army in a military career spanning 35 years before becoming Secretary of State with the Bush administration. In many ways, the course of his life and his selfless commitment to public service exhibits the traits of George Marshall. “We have so much still to learn from General Marshall – from his character, from his courage, his compassion and his commitment to our nation and to all humankind.” – Secretary Powell. Also attending the ceremonial gala were esteemed world leaders including President Carlo Ciampi of Italy, British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw, NATO Secretary General Lord Robertson, philanthropist David Rockefeller, and members of the U.S. Congress and the diplomatic corps.