Press handout photos here: https://flic.kr/s/aHskQH9azr

DENVER – Senator Cory Gardner (R-CO) told more than 50 Denver business and community leaders today that for Colorado to succeed, America must invest in its role as a global leader–and that starts with American diplomacy and development programs.

“U.S. leadership around the world helps promote global peace and security. Our nation’s diplomacy and development efforts in the Indo-Pacific region are key to strengthening our regional alliances and building new relationships to counter any threat,” said Senator Cory Gardner (R-CO). “Legislation I authored known as the Asia Reassurance Initiative Act (ARIA) was recently signed into law by President Trump and establishes a long-term strategy in Asia. ARIA allows the U.S. government to speak with one voice to advance our nation’s national security and economic interests in the Indo-Pacific by establishing forward-looking policies, authorizing additional resources to strengthen our alliances and partnerships in the region, and speaking with moral clarity on fundamental American values of democracy, human rights, and the rule of law.”

The U.S. Global Leadership Coalition (USGLC) hosted today’s foreign policy forum in the wake of the Administration’s latest budget proposal released last month, which called for a 24% cut to the State Department and U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).

“Our diplomats and development personnel are just as crucial to U.S. national security as our Armed Forces,” said General Gene Renuart, USAF (ret). “After 39 years of service in the U.S. Air Force, I’ve seen firsthand how our civilian forces work hand-in-hand with the US military. They act as the first line of defense to stop the spread of disease, rebuild after disasters, and resolve political conflicts. These collective efforts reinforce U.S. leadership around the world, protecting our nation, and keeping our families safe.”

Over 659,000 jobs in Colorado are tied to international trade, and Colorado’s exports to foreign markets total $8.1 billion a year–making America’s leadership in the world a strategic economic issue for the Centennial State.

“At a time when 95% of the world’s consumers are outside the United States, Colorado has proven its ability to lead in the global economy,” said Liz Schrayer, President and CEO of USGLC. “But when China is investing heavily in its ‘Belt and Road’ initiative to widen its own global economic grasp, the United States cannot afford to shirk its investment in diplomacy and development and step back from its leadership role in the world–especially in the Indo-Pacific region. I look forward to continuing to work with USGLC’s Colorado Advisory Committee and key Colorado leaders to explore ways to engage with the Indo-Pacific in ways that makes our world safer and creates more opportunities for our children’s future.

A strong and growing coalition in the state, the USGLC’s Colorado Advisory Committee brings together more than 100 business, faith, non-profit, veteran, and political leaders who understand why American global leadership matters for Colorado.

Also participating in today’s forum was the Honorable Hank Brown, former U.S. Senator for Colorado and Jeff Wasden, President of Colorado Business Roundtable.