“Strange Bedfellows” Coalition Honors Congressional Champions for Leadership on the U.S. International Affairs Budget

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Tonight, Senate Assistant Majority Leader Richard J. Durbin (D-IL) and Representative Christopher Shays (R-CT) will be honored by the members of the U.S. Global Leadership Campaign (USGLC) for their outstanding leadership on behalf of the International Affairs Budget. Leaders of Fortune 500 companies and preeminent non-government organizations will pay tribute to these distinguished Democratic and Republican legislators for their unwavering commitment to strengthening America’s national security, building economic prosperity and promoting America’s humanitarian values abroad.

“We are proud to pay tribute to our Congressional champions for ensuring that the United States has the tools to meet the global challenges of the 21st century,” said George Ingram, President of the U.S. Global Leadership Campaign. “Time and again, both Senator Durbin and Representative Shays have fought for funding for the International Affairs Budget and led efforts in the Senate and House to garner bipartisan support for America’s essential international affairs programs.”

“Senator Durbin’s efforts in support of America’s international programs have been critical in improving the lives of millions of people, restoring America’s capacity to engage the world, and building global stability,” noted George Rupp, President and CEO of the International Rescue Committee. “The members of the U.S. Global Leadership Campaign are grateful to Senator Durbin for his long-standing support of the International Affairs Budget, America’s national expression of our compassion and humanitarian values around the world.”

“As a former Peace Corps volunteer, Representative Shays understands the important work our development and diplomatic programs play in protecting America’s long-term national security and building economic prosperity at home and abroad,” said Tony Barclay, Chief Executive Officer of DAI. “In an uncertain world, Representative Shays is a consistent voice articulating the importance of the International Affairs Budget.”

Both Senator Richard Durbin and Representative Christopher Shays have been long-standing champions of strengthening the U.S. International Affairs Budget. As the Assistant Majority Leader and a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Senator Durbin has spearheaded bipartisan efforts in the Senate to increase funding for international affairs programs including specific efforts to combat the global HIV/AIDS pandemic. As a senior Member of the House Homeland Security Committee, Representative Shays has also championed bipartisan efforts in the House of Representatives to strengthen America’s commitment to the International Affairs Budget.

For a little more than a penny of every dollar spent by the U.S. Government, the International Affairs Budget supports critical programs that build our foreign policy tool kit to address evolving global challenges – including terrorism, global instability, HIV/AIDS, and poverty.
About the U.S. Global Leadership Campaign
The U.S. Global Leadership Campaign (USGLC) is a broad-based, nationwide coalition of businesses, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and community leaders that advocates for a strong U.S. International Affairs Budget. Members of the USGLC – a vibrant, influential network of 400 organizations and thousands of individuals – engage policymakers in the nation’s capital and educate the public around the country to build support for these essential programs.

The International Affairs Budget provides America with the fundamental tools to meet the global challenges of the 21st century and is critical to protecting our national security, building economic prosperity and strengthening humanitarian values. Currently, the proposed FY 2008 International Affairs Budget totals 35.8 billion dollars and provides the U.S. with invaluable opportunities to generate much needed allies, partners and friends. For additional information, visit www.usglc.org.

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