WASHINGTON, DC – Tonight, the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition’s annual Tribute event convened a significant bipartisan crowd of Members of Congress and Senators, Administration officials, and political, military, business, and humanitarian leaders for A Tribute to Partnership and Impact: USGLC at 30 to honor America’s Farmers, Veterans, and Small Businesses who make our nation safer, stronger, and more prosperous.

“Since 1995, we have worn the nickname of ‘strange bedfellows coalition’ as a badge of honor — that in a society that divides, we could be a community that unites: young and old, military and faith leaders, farmers and business leaders, Republicans, Democrats, and Independents alike, around the idea that America can lead and win in the world,” said USGLC CEO Liz Schrayer.

Honoring USGLC’s Farmers for Prosperity, USDA Under Secretary Luke Lindberg said: “It is the iron wills and the weather-beaten barns of America’s farmers and ranchers that is the real strategic stockpiles. You all feed 330 million Americans each and every day and produce enough grain, feed, and proteins to feed another billion people overseas. We export $170 billion dollars worth of American agricultural products each and every year. You quietly fight food insecurity, while fostering global stability that keeps us safe here at home.”

Honoring USGLC’s Small Business Leaders, Senator Chris Coons (D-DE) said: “Small business is the engine that drives America. Small business is the engine that takes risks, that develops new technologies, that delivers solutions for our nation and our future, and… makes America more prosperous at home and stronger abroad.”

Honoring USGLC’s Veterans for Smart Power, Admiral Michael Mullen, U.S. Navy (Ret.) said: “American veterans are men and women who have served our country with great honor. Not surprisingly, over and over again, we have seen our servicemembers continue their spirit of service well beyond their time in the military, giving back to America in so many ways when they return home. I am honored to pay tribute to the thousands of veterans for their continued service by speaking out and standing up for America’s global leadership.”

Speakers and guests included Under Secretary of State Jacob Helberg, DFC’s Conor Coleman, General Laura Richardson, Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Congressman Jim Baird (R-IN), Congressman Wesley Bell (D-MO), Mayor Steve Benjamin, Sean Callahan, OMB’s Brian Cavanaugh, Senator Norm Coleman, Evelyn Farkas, Emily Gibbons, Secretary Dan Glickman, State Department’s Jeffrey Graham, Jenelle Krishnamoorthy, Heather Nauert, Michael Parrish, Kathy Pickus, Ambassador Kip Tom, Ambassador Mark Green, General Kip Ward, Candi Wolff, and many others.

Watch the 2-minute recap video of Tribute HERE, the full program HERE, or take a look back at 30 years of USGLC HERE.

###