Businesses, NGOs Salute Secretary Gates for Leadership in Support of the International Affairs Budget

WASHINGTON, D.C. – On Tuesday, July 15th, the U.S. Global Leadership Campaign (USGLC) will pay tribute to Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates for his strong leadership in support of the U.S. International Affairs Budget. Since taking office in December 2006, Secretary Gates has been an outspoken proponent of increased funding for the U.S. International Affairs Budget. The International Affairs Budget funds the strategic tools essential to protecting our national security, building economic prosperity, and demonstrating our nation’s humanitarian values.

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, 2005 USGLC Honoree, will also be attending to pay tribute to Defense Secretary Gates. Following the tribute, to illustrate how the International Affairs Budget impacts the lives to millions of people around the globe, there will be a special presentation by Grace Tutiwe Ngoto from Malawi, a recipient of U.S. maternal health aid. The evening will conclude with a video presentation by the USGLC’s sister organization, the Center for U.S. Global Engagement, on its Impact ’08: Building a Better, Safer World initiative.

Award-winning and internationally renowned journalist and political commentator Cokie Roberts will serve as the Master of Ceremonies.

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. For more information, visit www.usglc.org.

About the Center for U.S. Global Engagement and Impact ’08
The Center for U.S. Global Engagement, the educational arm of the U.S. Global Leadership Campaign, unites business, civic, military, faith-based, and political leaders around the country to broaden understanding of America’s interests in building a better, safer world.

Impact ’08: Building a Better, Safer World is the Center’s national, non-partisan initiative, chaired by former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright and former Secretary of Defense Frank Carlucci, calling on all of the Presidential candidates to elevate and strengthen America’s investments in global development and diplomacy. For more information, visit www.usglobalengagement.org.

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