Carolyn Miles of Save the Children receives special recognition

PRESS HANDOUT PHOTOS AVAILABLE HERE       

WASHINGTON, D.C. — More than 1,000 top business, military, faith, and political leaders gathered tonight in Washington, D.C., along with 16 Members of Congress, to honor House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), Senator Johnny Isakson (R-GA) and the House For Country Caucus alongside a special tribute to retiring President and CEO of Save the Children Carolyn Miles.

The USGLC’s annual Tribute Dinner brings together members of the foreign policy and international development community to honor outstanding champions of American global leadership. Tonight’s dinner was co-chaired by Sally Susman, Executive Vice President & Chief Corporate Affairs Office at Pfizer, and Carrie Hessler-Radelet, President & CEO of Project Concern International.

Throughout more than three decades in Congress, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has been an ardent champion of America’s civilian tools of development and diplomacy. From her early days on the House State-Foreign Operations Subcommittee, she has led the fight to combat HIV/AIDS, reduce global poverty and human rights abuses, and strengthen the International Affairs Budget.

“The U.S. must retain its leadership role in the world, a beacon of democracy… committed to multilateralism, as the best way to preserve the peace in the world,” said House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA). “People always say to me, if you ruled the world, what one thing would you do? I think the thing that makes the biggest difference in lifting up people — alleviation of disease, eradication of poverty, improving prospects for families, for societies, for countries — is the education of women and girls.”

Marking the end of his tenure in the U.S. Senate, the USGLC honored Senator Johnny Isakson (R-GA) with its Lifetime Achievement Award. A senior member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Senator Isakson has a rich legacy of supporting America’s development and diplomacy programs, particularly across the African continent.

“I fell in love with Africa. It is beautiful. The people are wonderful. It is fun to be a catalyst, like America has been, for good things to happen to show off to the rest of the world,” said Senator Isakson in a video of his award acceptance. “The people of the world will solve the world [‘s problems] but they are going to need the leaders of the world to show them the way. The United States has been a leader for two and a half centuries and will continue to be, I’m sure. And in the end, it will be the people in all the countries that join together with us working for peace and prosperity for all countries.”

In a tribute to Senator Isakson, Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Jim Risch (R-ID) told attendees, “As Johnny wraps up his time in the Senate, he leaves behind an important legacy – one that reminds us of why America leads… U.S. foreign assistance is not just charity. It is an investment that creates opportunity and keeps America safe. It helps us respond to disasters, save lives, and support the growth of healthier, more stable societies that can provide for the needs of their own people and become reliable trade partners for the United States.”

For the first time, the USGLC honored an entire Congressional caucus – the House For Country Caucus – a bipartisan group of nearly 20 military veterans who believe that putting country before party will create a safer, more prosperous world. After accepting the award, the co-chairs and vice-chairs of the caucus, Reps. Don Bacon (R-NE), Jimmy Panetta (D-CA), Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA), and Michael Waltz (R-FL) discussed the importance of their work to advancing American leadership and engagement in the world.

Tonight’s program also featured former Rep. Peter Roskam (R-IL, 2007-2019); the Honorable Dan Glickman; Ambassador Karl Hofmann, President and CEO, PSI; Sarah Thorn, Senior Director, Global Government Affairs, Walmart; Jane Adams, Vice President of Federal Government Affairs, Johnson & Johnson; The African Children’s Choir; and Lt. General Kip Ward.

Top Quotes from the USGLC’s 2019 Tribute Dinner

“At a time when it can feel like the partisan divide in our country is growing, for the members of the For Country Caucus, politics really does stop at the water’s edge. Their commitment to diplomacy and global development is so very clear.” – Lt. General William (Kip) Ward

“Like the hundreds of other business leaders gathered here, we join in tonight’s celebration committed to the power and inspiration of American global leadership – from fighting poverty and disease to driving innovation that lifts people up around the globe… Businesses understand – that in our interconnected world with global competition on the rise from Africa to Asia to Latin America and beyond – why our nation’s diplomatic and global development programs are not just the right investment, but the smart investment – for our citizens, for our children, and for our values.” – Sally Susman, Executive Vice President & Chief Corporate Affairs Office, Pfizer

“Tonight is also a celebration of our unique and diverse coalition, where partisanship is really checked at the door. This coalition reflects the very best of America, that shining city on a hill – where leaders, young and old, diplomats and veterans, the NGO, business, academic, and faith communities – all stand united.” – Carrie Hessler-Radelet, President & CEO, Project Concern International

“It is the season to be thankful and that begins with family. You are all our USGLC family… The truth is, you inspire me— this year more than ever. All of you are our champions and I am truly grateful!” – Liz Schrayer, President and CEO, USGLC