Strong Bipartisan Support Exists for Smart Power, Civilian-Led Tools and the U.S. International Affairs Budget

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton was honored by the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition (USGLC) tonight for her exemplary leadership in support of America’s smart power, civilian-led tools of development and diplomacy and a robust U.S. International Affairs Budget. Members of Congress and senior Administration officials joined a sold-out audience of over 1,000 corporate and NGO leaders at the USGLC’s 2009 Tribute Dinner to honor Secretary Clinton as she discussed how America’s development and diplomatic tools are equally important to defense in advancing our national security, economic prosperity and humanitarian values abroad.

During the dinner, freshman Representative Aaron Schock (R-IL) announced a letter to President Obama signed by record-breaking 248 Members of Congress encouraging him to submit a robust FY 2011 International Affairs Budget request.  Representative Schock was a sponsor of the bipartisan letter in the House, along with eleven other House Members and ten Senators.

“Tonight we honor Secretary Clinton for her efforts to elevate and strengthen development and diplomacy,” said Nancy Lindborg, Co-President of the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition and President of Mercy Corps. “I have seen the powerful difference we can make in the lives of families around the world by fighting poverty, disease and malnutrition and applaud Secretary’s Clintons efforts to increase resources for these initiatives. It is one of the best investments the United States can make.”

“As First Lady, Senator, and now Secretary of State, Mrs. Clinton has been a champion of the International Affairs Budget,” said Bill Lane, Co-President of the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition and Washington Director for Caterpillar. “By promoting global development, Secretary Clinton has demonstrated the best of American values, enhanced our national security, and opened new markets for U.S. businesses and workers.”

Since becoming our nation’s 67th Secretary of State, Clinton has actively made the case for increased funding for America’s international affairs programs. From her speeches in support of the International Affairs Budget to congressional testimony and meetings with lawmakers, Secretary Clinton has helped to change the way Congress and the American people view the importance of our civilian programs to U.S. national security. As Secretary Clinton said in her confirmation hearing on January 13, 2009, “There are three legs to the stool of American foreign policy: defense, diplomacy, and development…Diplomacy and development are essential tools in achieving the long-term objectives of the United States.”

Co-chairing the dinner on behalf of the USGLC’s many member organizations were James Bell, Corporate President and CFO of the Boeing Company, and Richard Stearns, President of World Vision. NBC News’ Chief Foreign Affairs Correspondent Andrea Mitchell served as master of ceremonies.

Past honorees of the USGLC’s Tribute Dinner include Secretary of Defense Robert Gates, former Secretaries of State Colin Powell and Condoleezza Rice, Senators Dick Durbin, Chuck Hagel, and Paul Sarbanes, and Representative Chris Shays.

The U.S. Global Leadership Coalition (www.usglc.org) is a broad-based influential network of 400 businesses and NGOs; national security and foreign policy experts; and business, faith-based, academic and community leaders in all 50 states who support a smart power approach of elevating development and diplomacy alongside defense in order to build a better, safer world.

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