In the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, USGLC was joined by more than two dozen community, business, and non-profit leaders to discuss America’s role in anticipating, preventing, and responding to conflict around the globe. Topics discussed include the public and private partnerships harnessed by the State Department that are taking a localized approach to addressing conflict and promoting stability. Measures like the Global Fragility Act show the benefits of a long-term, strategic approach and the need for continued bipartisan support in Congress, interagency cooperation, and investment to prevent and mitigate violent conflict. Underscoring that leading globally matters locally, the discussion concluded on the economic benefit of preventing conflict for American businesses and communities.

Statewide Network Supporting Global Leadership

Texas has an active USGLC State Advisory Committee of more than 230 business, faith, military, government, and community leaders committed to strong investments in U.S. global engagement to help keep America safe and strengthen Texas’ economy. They include:

• Henry Cisneros – U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Secretary (1993-1997) City of San Antonio, Mayor (1981-1989)
• Rafael Anchia – Texas House of Representatives, Chairman of the Committee on International Trade
• Arun Agarwal – Nextt, CEO
• Amanda Childress – Vice President-Partnership Leader, World Vision

A full list of Texas’ State Advisory Committee members can be found here: https://www.usglc.org/downloads/advisory-committees/TX-Advisory-Committee.pdf

Global Engagement Supports Texas Impact

The strength of America’s global connections directly impacts the Texas economy and local jobs:

• Texas exported $279.3 billion in goods to foreign markets in 2020.
• Since 1992, the U.S. Trade and Development Agency has helped facilitate $5.6 billionin exports from Texas companies.
• During 2020, 77,097international students were enrolled in Texas colleges and universities and contributed $2 billion to the Texas economy.

Building the Future

Ten Texas professionals were recently selected to join over 60 other young leaders from 20 states as part of the USGLC’s Next Gen Leaders Network. Through this year-long program, participants will receive leadership and advocacy training, interact with policymakers and opinion leaders, and draw connections between U.S. global engagement and their own communities:

• Carlos Colón: Executive Director, International Programs, Buckner International
• Jeanelle Davis: Executive Director, Public Affairs, BNSF Railway
• Claudette Jane Ferro: Marketing Manager, Medical Bridges
• Chris Graves: Associate Director on Human Trafficking and Domestic Violence, Mayor’s Office of Human Trafficking and Domestic Violence, Office of Mayor Sylvester Turner, City of Houston
• Matthew Hall: Senior Regional Advocacy Director, Raise Your Hand Texas
• Megan A.J. Kirk: Candidate, Master of International Affairs, Texas A&M University; English & Language Arts Tutor at James Earl Rudder High School
• Austin Merkel: Candidate, Masters in Global Policy Studies, University of Texas
• Tim Silvester: Litigation Associate, Jones Day
• Samantha Skory: Director of International Programs, World Affairs Council of San Antonio
• Annette Whatley: Program Coordinator Texas Global, The University of Texas at Austin

The U.S. Global Leadership Coalition (www.usglc.org) is a broad-based influential network of 500 businesses and NGOs; national security and foreign policy experts; and business, faith-based, academic, military, and community leaders in all 50 states who support strategic investments to elevate development and diplomacy alongside defense in order to build a better, safer world.