The new secretary of state of US John Kerry has started his term in office officially on Monday. Holding a press conference, Kerry thanked his predecessor Hillary Clinton and her team, and said, "they tirelessly advocated the values of our country and pushed for the accomplishment of any number of things to advance the interests of our nation. I just want to join with all of you today in saying to her: Job well done. The nation is grateful. The world is grateful." "I also want to thank President Obama for his trust in me to take on this awesome task. President's vision and what he has implemented through your efforts over the course of the last years has restored America's reputation and place in the world," he said. Kerry said, "I need your help. President Obama needs your help, to help us to do everything we can to strengthen our nation and to carry those ideals out into the world. Here we can do the best of things that you can do in government. That's what excites me. We get to try to make our nation safer. We get to try to make peace in the world, a world where there is far too much conflict, far too much killing. There are alternatives."