Brooks joins former Congressman Lee Hamilton as bipartisan co-chairs of the Indiana Advisory Committee, which includes over 140 state leaders

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition (USGLC) announced that former U.S. Representative Susan Brooks (R-IN) is taking a new leadership role on the organization’s Indiana Advisory Committee. Congresswoman Brooks joins former U.S. Representative Lee Hamilton (D-IN) as bipartisan co-chairs of more than 140 leaders in the state representing the non-profit, business, faith, local electeds and veteran communities—including former Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard, Indiana Chamber of Commerce’s President & CEO, Kevin Brinegar, Indiana Soybean Alliance’s CEO, Courtney Kingery, and Ambassador Kip Tom, former U.S. ambassador to the U.N. Agencies for Food and Agriculture (FAO).

“While few could fill the shoes of the late Senator Richard Lugar, Congresswoman Susan Brooks is an absolute superstar, and we are truly thrilled that she will serve as our new co-chair of Indiana’s Advisory Committee, along with Congressman Lee Hamilton. At this critical time, Susan is an incredible champion for America’s role in the world, understanding that what happens overseas matters to every American family – from our health security to our economic interests,” said Liz Schrayer, USGLC President and CEO. “Congresswoman Brooks has led on issues from global health security to global economic competitiveness, never losing sight of the interconnection to Indiana, and we look forward to continued collaboration with our State Advisory Committee leaders in Indiana to ensure America gets these investments right.”

“The COVID-19 pandemic has made it clear that global issues have profound local impacts, and America’s investments in global health, development, and diplomacy matter more than ever to our own health, economic recovery, and future prosperity. In my years in Congress, I fought to elevate issues that impacted communities in Indiana—from public health and pandemic preparedness to girls’ education and empowerment—because they help create a better, healthier future for our children and communities, as well as those around the world,” said former Congresswoman Susan Brooks. “I am honored to help lead the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition’s efforts in Indiana and come together with this impressive bipartisan group of Indiana leaders to support America’s engagement in the world through U.S. diplomacy and development programs.”

As one of her first actions as co-chair, Brooks will participate in the USGLC’s Global Impact Forum on June 15, where she will join top political and policy leaders alongside business, non-profit, faith, and national security leaders from across the country. She will also meet virtually with Indiana lawmakers about the importance of robust investments in America’s diplomacy and development programs to support U.S. global engagement.

As a former U.S. representative from Indiana’s 5^th district, Brooks was an ardent supporter of U.S. assistance to combat human trafficking, support girls’ education and empowerment programs, and advance maternal health, child nutrition and other global health initiatives, working across the aisle to champion bipartisan legislation like the Strengthening Public Health Emergency Response Act and Keep Girls in School Act. As co-chair, Brooks will lend her more than 20 years of government and public policy experience to the USGLC’s mission of educating Americans about the importance of development and diplomacy—and how these programs are connected to Indiana’s national security, economic prosperity, and humanitarian values.

“I am pleased to work alongside Congresswoman Brooks as co-chairs of the Indiana Advisory Committee and continue Indiana’s bipartisan legacy of supporting America’s global engagement,” said former Congressman Lee Hamilton and co-chair of the USGLC’s Indiana Advisory Committee. “As my former co-chair, the late Senator Richard Lugar said, ‘The United States must be a leader in forging global partnerships’ and helping ‘to achieve development goals.’ Taking his words to heart, I look forward to working with Congresswoman Brooks and the committee to reiterate to state policymakers how robust diplomatic and development efforts can reinforce America’s moral leadership, strengthen our national security, and open new opportunities for Indiana business.”

Former U.S. Representatives Brooks and Hamilton are among a number of current and former Indiana policymakers who are championing America’s global engagement, especially as COVID-19 surges worldwide in countries like India and Brazil. Following the Senate’s first comprehensive hearing on the international response to COVID-19 last week, Senators Todd Young (R-IN) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) took a huge leadership step and rallied nearly half of the Senate on a critical bipartisan letter to support increased funding for America’s diplomacy and development to ensure the health and well-being of the American people amid the ongoing pandemic and other global concerns.