Impact ’08 in Florida Launches With Discussion of Global Challenges Facing U.S.
By Tom Vogel at 20 May, 2008, 12:49 pm
Loy, Mallett Say Next President Must Strengthen Our Development And Diplomacy Tools To Protect Country, Bolster Economy
The Center for U.S. Global Engagement and its partners, the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce and University of Miami’s Center for Hemispheric Policy launched its Impact ’08 in Florida initiative on May 20th with a luncheon and foreign policy discussion featuring former Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security and US Coast Guard Commandant Admiral James Loy and Robert Mallett, Pfizer Inc’s Senior Vice President for Worldwide Public Affairs and Policy and President of the Pfizer Foundation. The discussion was moderated by Miami Herald Executive Editor Anders Gyllenhaal. These speakers joined more than 120 guests, including many Impact ’08 in Florida’s Advisory Committee members, to encourage the 2008 presidential candidates to incorporate greater investments in global development and diplomacy as critical tools in America’s engagement with the world.
At the luncheon, Admiral Loy, a member of the Center’s National Security Advisory Council, a group of more than 50 three and four-star generals and admirals representing all branches of the Armed Forces, explained why a former military officer would join the call for increased development aid and diplomacy. “The world is – and will continue –challenging us in ways unforeseen, and the U.S. must stand ready to lead through the maze of global threats and opportunities, but the national security challenges for the next president are not going to be primarily military. Rather, they will be about diplomacy, economic development, and the nature and scope of our international leadership and alliances,” said Loy.
Offering his view as both a former Deputy Commerce Secretary and current corporate executive and foundation president, Mr. Mallett said, “It is vitally important to the business community that America have the moral authority and a strong ability to lead by funding and mastering all components of power. Foreign policy has many layers of impact on American businesses and citizens. The next president must bolster America’s investments in global health, development and diplomacy to ensure that we have every means available to navigate the ship of state through these stormy seas.”
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