Watch the full event here: https://youtu.be/3iPsZwATASQ 

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition (USGLC) held a virtual town hall with Representative Veronica Escobar (TX-16) and more than 75 Texas business, non-profit, community, and local elected leaders, where stakeholders from across the political spectrum agreed that America’s investments in global health, diplomacy and development have important impacts throughout the state, improving the health, security, and economic prosperity of Texas families.

“El Pasoans have witnessed firsthand how global challenges impact our everyday lives – from COVID-19, immigration, to the climate crisis,” said Representative Escobar (TX-16). “America’s continued leadership in the world is critical in finding long-term solutions to address these pressing issues and ensuring the prosperity of families in Texas and across the country. I remain committed to working with my colleagues in Congress to make sure diplomacy is back at the center of our foreign policy and preserving our historic role as a beacon to the world.”

Today’s event follows the launch of the USGLC’s new nationwide campaign – “Foreign Aid: What’s It Worth” – which will showcase the countless benefits of U.S. investments in America’s global engagement on Americans’ everyday lives.

“As a member of the House Committees on Armed Services, Judiciary, Ethics, and the Climate Crisis, Congresswoman Escobar has called for greater U.S. engagement on a number of global issues, from addressing the drivers of migration to empowering women and girls and lifting societies out of poverty,” said Michelle Bekkering, National Engagement Director, USGLC. “As the congresswoman understands, our country’s investments in global health, diplomacy, and development programs not only helps those in need around the world, it ensures that we here at home are also safer, healthier, and more prosperous.”

Many of today’s participants are members of the USGLC’s Texas Advisory Committee, a strong and growing coalition that brings together more than 230 business, faith, non-profit, veteran, and political leaders who advocate for strong development and diplomacy resources alongside defense to support U.S. global engagement.

As today’s participants emphasized, Texas is a beneficiary of America’s global investments. In 2019, Texas exported more than $279 billion worth of goods, with international trade supporting more than 3.5 million jobs in the state. U.S. agencies have also worked alongside Texas companies to represent their interests overseas—financing over $13 billion in exports through the Export-Import (EXIM) Bank since 2014 and $5.6 billion in exports through the U.S. Trade and Development Agency since 1992.