The event began with welcoming remarks from Virginia State Advisory Committee   members Dr. M.G. “Pat” Robertson, Admiral Larry Baucom, President of the Virginia Beach World Affairs Council, and Jack Hornbeck, President of Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce.  Their remarks were followed by a panel conversation moderated by CBN News Chief Political Correspondent, David Brody, featuring Lt. Gen. Pete Osman, USMC (Ret.), former Virginia Congressman Tom Davis, Virginia Chamber of Commerce and CEO Barry DuVal, and Vice President of Advocacy at World Vision, Rev. Adam Russell Taylor. Drawing from their respective experiences in the military, government, business, and development, the panelists all emphasized the importance of continued investment in America’s development and diplomacy efforts abroad.

Lt. Gen. Osman, USMC (Ret.), spoke from his 37 years of service in the U.S. Marine Corps and highlighted the crucial role of U.S. global engagement in maintaining our nation’s security. “Today, we face new and ever increasing threats. In order to keep our nation safe, we must invest in a comprehensive strategy that includes development and diplomacy alongside defense,” Gen. Osman said. “These programs not only enhance national security; they potentially save service members’ lives by ensuring that ‘boots on the ground’ are  worked in concert with other instruments of national power  and are not always the first or only option.”

Referencing the tremendous progress in international development over recent years, Rev. Taylor emphasized how international health and capacity-building programs funded through the International Affairs Budget are crucial for countries to lift themselves out of poverty, prevent violence, and develop a strong economy. Barry DuVal added that such revitalized economies are crucial to creating job growth here at home, as they open new markets and trading partners for American businesses, particularly in the export-industry.

With budgetary constraints continuing to shape the government’s funding allocations, the discussion also stressed that programs promoting U.S. development and diplomacy efforts not be cut disproportionately so as to maintain their integrity and to best ensure U.S. national and economic security.

This new report, entitled “U.S. Global Leadership: A Strategic Investment in U.S. Jobs”, illustrates how in today’s global economy, America must invest in development and diplomacy to open new markets to U.S. businesses and create jobs here at home.

The report was crafted after extensive research and strategy sessions by the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition’s Economic Working Group, co-chaired by Bill Lane of Caterpillar and John Murphy of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.  Representatives of some of the top companies in the world, including Boeing, GE, Walmart, Procter & Gamble and many more were a part of the discussions.

In their introductory letter, the Co-Chairs write “With 95% of the world’s consumers living outside of the United States, it is increasingly clear America’s economic prosperity is linked to economic currents elsewhere in the world…Half of U.S. exports today are to the developing world, and trends reveal those markets will grow at a far faster pace than many of our more traditional partners. Clearly, these merging and developing markets are central to the future of American economic prosperity. American businesses need a wide array of available tools to succeed in these new environments, and the International Affairs Budget is one of the most cost-effective tools we have to help our economy grow.”

The members of the Economic Working Group end the report with a call for policymakers to embrace the principles of America’s global leadership as a key strategic investment for growing American jobs.

They write “The world is not standing still, and American businesses and workers run the risk of being left behind if the United States does not continue to play its traditional role in maintaining a level playing field and opening markets. The question is not whether the United States can afford to make this investment; it is how we could possibly afford not to.”

Click here to read the full report!

Congressman Rick Berg highlighted the importance of programs funded by the budget to state’s prosperity and stated that he and others in the North Dakota congressional delegation have a unique opportunity to serve as leaders in Congress on these issues.

General Wald and Congressman Berg were joined by other distinguished North Dakotans, Major General Michael Haugen, former Adjutant General of the Dakota and international businessman Howard Dahl, president of Amity Technology.

A special thanks to our event partners at North Dakota State, the Greater West Fargo Moorhead Chamber of Commerce, the North Dakota Trade Office and Dakota Defense Alliance for helping organize such a spectacular event!

Despite the rainy weather in Columbus, the scene at the Athletic Club was bright. We were delighted to host top political leaders like former Ohio Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner and Franklin County Commissioner Marilyn Brown. Also a special thanks to the staff members who attended from the office of Senator Rob Portman.

The crowd was engaged as General Christman discussed his experiences in the U.S. Army, beginning at West Point, and then at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Speaking of the importance of our civilian-led tools in today’s complex and dangerous world, Gen. Christman said “what is increasingly recognized is that you can’t do it with boots on the ground alone. Smart Power complements boots on the ground with diplomats and with development.” He also discussed the critical economic importance of international trade and exports, especially for a state like Ohio, noting, “We have roughly 50 million American workers, which comprises almost 40 percent of our labor force, that is directly or indirectly associated with companies that engage with overseas markets.”

The event was a great success, with a wonderful showing from our State Advisory Council in addition to lots of new faces, who are now ready to become advocates for smart power in Ohio.

I left the state thoroughly impressed with the commitment of our Advisory Committee members to advancing these issues. Many of them rearranged their schedules and agreed to meet despite bad weather conditions.

I would like to welcome our new Tennessee Advisory Committee members:

• A.C. Wharton, Mayor of Memphis
• Ralph Shultz, President, Nashville Chamber of Commerce
• Deb Woolley, President, Tennessee Chamber of Commerce and Industry
• Gray Sasser, Former Senior Vice President, Congressional Affairs at the U.S. Export-Import Bank
• James Weaver, Attorney, Waller, Lansden, Dortch and Davis, LLP
• Sam Hatcher, CEO, Main Street Media
• Yuri Cunza, President, Nashville Hispanic Chamber of Commerce

Under the bright lights of Las Vegas, USGLC’s own Senior Director, Mark Green, a former U.S. Congressman and Ambassador to Tanzania, gave the keynote address, sharing his vast experience with community and business leaders. In addition to stories of what he saw-first hand serving in Africa, Mark shared the perspective of our nation’s top military leaders, some of whom recently joined him on Capitol Hill to make clear to Members of Congress that the International Affairs Budget is a critical part of our national security spending. Mark told the crowd that a small investment in International Affairs programs can go a long way towards keeping us safe.

This event had a uniquely global flair – and not just from the replicas of the Great Sphinx and the Eiffel Tower outside on the Strip. A large number of members of the Nevada Consular Corps was in attendance, including representatives from Germany, Guatemala, Japan, Lithuania, Mexico, Monaco, Sweden and the United Kingdom.

This global representation shows just how much Nevada remains engaged with the world, and how important international trade is to the local economy. In just the first half of last year, exports by Nevada businesses shot up 22 percent, creating over 2,225 new jobs in the state. Add that to the fact that nearly one in five jobs depend on trade and close to half of U.S. exports now go to the developing world, and Nevadans at this month’s event made clear: in this economy, we cannot afford not to invest in the International Affairs Budget.

The North Dakota Trade Office invited Amb. Green to speak on a panel discussing ‘The Future of Exporting’. One thing that became clear to both of us very quickly and a phrase that would be repeated many times throughout the conference was that “North Dakota lives and dies on exports.”

A few days before our trip I came across an article in USA Today, ‘North Dakota economy booms, population soars,’ noting that North Dakota has the strongest economy and lowest unemployment rate of any state in the nation and is one of the few states to add manufacturing jobs.

I learned at the conference that the reason for this boom can be summed up in one word: exports. North Dakota has tripled its exports over the past few years. North Dakota understands the importance of exports and is placing greater emphasis on promoting the services of organizations such as the U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) and Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC), which help connect American businesses to overseas markets – which of course are funded through the International Affairs Budget.

To learn more about the conference and the importance of the International Affairs Budget to North Dakota, be sure to check out an opinion editorial from our state advisory committee member Gen. Mike Haugen, which appeared in the Fargo Forum:  ‘International engagement vital to North Dakota future.’

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At a luncheon in Tampa Bay headlined by Bill Lane of Caterpillar, Inc, members of the business community came together to discuss international trade, exports and other ways the International Affairs Budget is important to the local economy.

Thanks to a great partnership with the Tampa Bay International Business Council, the discussion was lively and informative. After the event, Lane said “The business community, including the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, are some of the strongest supporters of our International Affairs programs. This modest investment reaps important dividends for local businesses across the country, including here in Florida, by creating new markets for American goods and services overseas. The fastest growing markets anywhere are in the developing world, and selling our products in those countries is critical to our future economic growth and job creation here at home.”

The USGLC team then hit the road, traveling I-4 to Orlando for an evening event.  A torrential downpour didn’t keep the crowds from coming out to hear about the International Affairs Budget, and a broad cross-section of local leaders mingled among the lights of local TV cameras before settling in for a panel discussion.

Caterpillar’s Bill Lane was joined in Orlando by Lt. General Donald Kerrick, who focused on the national security aspect of our International Affairs programs. General Kerrick said “A ‘smart power’ foreign policy, which includes the civilian tools of development and diplomacy alongside defense, is critical to keeping our troops safe.  Based on my experience, strong civilian components strengthen national security and enable the success of our missions in the most dangerous parts of the world. That’s why so many senior leaders, from General Petreaus to Admiral Mullen and Secretary Gates, support a strong and effective International Affairs budget.”

The panel was also enriched by contributions from Dr. Lewis Duncan, President of Rollins College, and Dr. John Hitt, President of the University of Central Florida. The college presidents talked about what today’s interconnected world means for young people, and the importance of international engagement in education and job preparation.  In addition, Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs was on hand to introduce the panel and former Florida State Senator Dick Batchelor was there to give closing remarks.

The event was held in conjunction with the Metro Orlando Economic Development Commission. Make sure to check out all the pictures and video.

The USGLC has partnered with local leaders in Nevada for the past three years since our Impact 08 Campaign began in the state during the 2008 Presidential election. Our renewed effort in Nevada is being led by Co-Chair Senator Richard Bryan and we are searching for a replacement for Governor Kenny Guinn who passed away tragically last year.

On this trip, Jess and I met with business and civic leaders to discuss how the International Affairs Budget is critical to reinvigorating the American economy, and specifically Nevada’s. We met with business leaders, veterans, and world affairs groups including the Nevada Development Authority, Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce, and the Desert Research Institute.

They all agree this is a critical time for the U.S. to be involved in the world with a strong and effective International Affairs budget to help ensure our national and economic security. These new, local partners will be critical to the USGLC as we continue to build a strong network of leaders throughout the state.