Photo Credit: Gage Skidmore

WASHINGTON, DC – Liz Schrayer, President and CEO of the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition (USGLC), released the following statement on the passing of former U.S. Senator Jon Kyl (R-AZ): 

The USGLC family mourns the loss of Senator Jon Kyl—a dedicated public servant and steadfast advocate for American leadership in the world who served on USGLC’s National Advisory Council and as a former co-chair of our Arizona State Advisory Committee. 

During nearly three decades representing Arizona in Congress, Senator Kyl rose to Senate Republican Whip and became a leading voice on national security and nonproliferation. His leadership also extended to the importance of America’s role in the world, particularly through his steadfast voice on global health where he sponsored legislation prioritizing U.S. assistance for countries hardest hit by HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria and worked to strengthen PEPFAR’s focus on lifesaving treatment. 

His commitment to America’s global leadership continued well beyond his Senate service. Working with Senator Joe Lieberman (I-CT), he helped make the bipartisan case for diplomacy, foreign assistance, and the other tools of American engagement through their 2015 American Enterprise Institute report, Why American Leadership Still Matters. 

At USGLC’s 2016 State Leaders Summit, Senator Kyl urged America to embrace the values that had guided our country for more than two centuries. As he put it, “We have to show by example the kind of things that America can help others achieve… We do that through diplomacy, our aid programs.” 

On a personal note, I will always be grateful for Senator Kyl’s wise counsel. It was an honor to learn from him and count him as a partner in our work to strengthen America’s role in the world. 

We extend our deepest condolences to his family, friends, and the people of Arizona he served for so many years. His commitment to public service and his belief in principled American leadership leave a lasting legacy. 

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