PHILADELPHIA, PA – After Philadelphia grabbed the global spotlight by hosting six World Cup matches, the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition kept that momentum going at an event featuring Congressman Brendan Boyle (D-PA-02) on why America’s engagement in the world matters for Philadelphia’s economic growth and national security.

Boyle was joined by Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker; former Vice Commander of U.S. Special Operations Command Lt. General Thomas Trask (Ret.); and Head of Global Corporate Government Affairs at GSK Jennifer Siler, alongside other military, business, farmer, faith, nonprofit, humanitarian, and community leaders for a conversation emphasizing how U.S. investments in diplomacy and international assistance not only save lives, but create markets for Philadelphia businesses, prevent threats from reaching our shores, and advance American values.

“Philadelphia is the nation’s birthplace… that also does not mean it inhibits us, as I said before, from playing such a major role in terms of our peer cities on the global stage,” said Representative Brendan Boyle. “So many Philadelphians, indeed so many Americans, have our roots from abroad, and that is more so in this city than in many other places. That’s all the more reason for us to be a natural bridge with folks all around the world.”

“The founders who gathered just steps from here understood something profound. America is stronger when we work together across differences, across communities, across generations, and that same spirit is in this room today,” said Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker. “Because when America leads, Philadelphia grows, and when Philadelphia grows, America grows strong.”

“There’s kind of a kindredship between our diplomatic efforts and special operations because they’re typically the elements that are going to be there before a conflict becomes a conflict,” said Lt. Gen. Thomas Trask. “It’s one thing to prepare to win the next war, but if we can spend a little bit of our effort and our money trying to make sure that that major conflict doesn’t happen, I think that’s a pretty good investment.”

“Our largest employee footprint is in the United States, and our largest footprint by state is here in PA, with a third of our employees here… Our global health products produced in PA make it to the farthest regions in the world, saving lives that otherwise wouldn’t be saved,” said GSK’s Jennifer Siler. “It makes sense for us dollars and cents, but it’s also the right and good thing to do.”

“The world has, as you can see on your evening news, global instability and transnational threats,” said USGLC’s National Outreach Director Jim Richardson. “So strategic investments in diplomacy and international assistance are vital foreign policy tools that help prevent crises, save lives, and counter rivals like China, and help build strong economic and security partnerships that help America win around the world.”

WATCH THE FULL LIVESTREAM HERE

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