Watch the full event here: https://youtu.be/PiEWSIAM7-A

WASHINGTON, D.C. – At a meeting with Representative John Yarmuth (D-KY-03) and more than 100 local business, political, and community leaders, stakeholders from across the political spectrum agreed that America’s investments in global leadership through U.S. diplomacy and development have important impacts throughout the state of Kentucky. Today’s event was the first meeting hosted by the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition (USGLC) in Kentucky, recognizing the statewide bipartisan support to strengthen America’s leadership overseas.

“The world looks to the United States for leadership, whether it’s responding to pandemics, advocating for human rights, or addressing the impacts of climate change. We must lead by example and make critically important investments in America’s diplomacy and development efforts,” said Rep. John Yarmuth. “Our country’s diplomats and development personnel play a vital role in helping to address these complex global issues, working alongside our friends and allies to find smart, responsible solutions that benefit us all. Their work not only protects our national security and economic livelihood here in Kentucky and across the country, but also strengthens America’s standing in the world. It was wonderful to join this group of Kentuckians dedicated to advocating for our nation’s continued leadership on the international stage.”

Chairman Yarmuth was joined by Michael Kiely, UPS’s President of U.S. Government Affairs, in a conversation moderated by Dan Glickman, former Secretary of Agriculture and USGLC senior advisor.

“As a global shipping and logistics company, UPS has been uniquely positioned to help during the COVID-19 crisis, both in the United States and around the world. We drew on our knowledge and expertise and partnered with organizations like Louisville’s Supplies Over Seas to help ship medical supplies around the world, offer supply chain consultation and healthcare logistics, and provide grants to relief organizations,” said Michael Kiely, President, U.S. Government Affairs, UPS. “At UPS, we understand that our efforts are not only critical to combat this pandemic, but also to help the global economy recover, which support our own jobs and economic growth.”

“Chairman Yarmuth has distinguished himself as a champion for strong American global leadership, and he continues to call attention to why our country’s diplomats and development efforts are critical to address the COVID-19 pandemic and other international issues,” said Dan Glickman, former Secretary of Agriculture and senior advisor to USGLC. “We’re grateful for Chairman Yarmuth’s continued leadership and support of the International Affairs Budget, and we look forward to working with him to ensure we advance America’s interests and values and protect Kentucky’s health, economy, and security.”

Many of today’s participants are members of the USGLC’s Kentucky Advisory Committee, a strong and growing coalition brings together more than 65 business, faith, non-profit, veteran, and political leaders who understand how American global leadership is directly tied to the health, security, and prosperity of communities and families of all Americans.

Kentucky’s economy benefits from U.S. global engagement, supported by investments in development and diplomacy. In 2019, Kentucky exported more than $33.1 billion in goods, with international trade supporting more than 504,200 jobs in the state, and U.S. agencies have worked alongside Kentucky companies to support market opportunities overseas—financing over $400 million in exports through the Export-Import (EXIM) Bank since 2014 and investing $122 million in Kentucky companies through the Development Finance Corporation since 1971.