Condoleezza Rice to Be Named Secretary of State.

Nov. 15, 2004— National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice will be nominated to replace Colin Powell as secretary of state, ABC News has learned.

Senior administration sources confirmed that Rice would be Bush’s choice. The news comes just hours after the White House announced Powell had submitted his resignation.

Rice, considered to be one of the president’s closest counselors, has served as national security adviser since Bush first took office.

The nomination comes as a sort of birthday present for Rice, who turned 50 on Sunday.

Rice was the first female U.S. national security adviser. If confirmed by the Senate, she would be only the second female and second African-American to be appointed secretary of state.