MILWAUKEE, WI – Today, the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition (USGLC) hosted U.S. Representative Gwen Moore (D-WI-04) and Chidi Blyden, Deputy CEO of the Millennium Challenge Corporation,alongside more than 100 local business, veteran, and community leaders for a conversation on the critical importance of U.S. global engagement to Wisconsin’s economic stability and security. Due to a recent increase in global poverty, a record number of people around the world are in severe need of humanitarian assistance. At the same time, ongoing wars in Europe and the Middle East and strategic competition with the People’s Republic of China (PRC) threaten U.S. national security. Representative Gwen Moore and Chidi Blyden spoke out on how U.S. engagement around the world matters locally to Wisconsin communities and how the state’s economic security interests are directly impacted by global challenges and opportunities.

The event featured remarks from Mayor Cavalier Johnson of Milwaukee, Mary McCormick, Executive Director of the Rotary Club of Milwaukee, and Alex DeNuccio, Senior Communications Manager of Cargill. In a conversation between Rep. Gwen Moore and Chidi Blyden, both discussed a range of topics all focused on the importance of investing and strengthening America’s civilian-led tools of development and diplomacy.

Wisconsin is a world leader in industrial machinery and high-tech manufacturing, which helped the state export $28 billion worth of goods in 2023. Over 8,800 companies in the state export overseas, supporting more than 691,000 Wisconsin jobs, representing 18.4% of all jobs in the state underscoring how America’s investments in diplomacy and development benefit Wisconsin locally.

“This [foreign aid] assistance is in lieu of trying to rescue people once things have all fallen down,” said Representative Gwen Moore. “When you’re the richest country in the world, you don’t get to stand back and do nothing. It’s our responsibility as a world leader to look out for others with our own interests in mind.”

“The Millennium Challenge Corporation contributes to a stronger global community by investing in foreign efforts to fight corruption and bolster economic growth, accountability, good governance, democracy and stability,” said Chidi Blyden, Deputy CEO of the Milennium Challenge Corporation. “The small investment that we make in foreign assistance really does tie back to not just our safety and security, but our markets, our economies, our business, our opportunities, and obviously, our values.”

“What brings us all together is a shared belief in American global leadership. We believe that strategic investments in development and diplomacy are essential because it protects our national security, advances our economic interest, and it projects the very best of American values,” said Alex Grant, USGLC National Outreach Director. “Last year alone, more than 8800 companies in Wisconsin exported over $28 billion in goods to foreign markets. This economic progress is made possible with investments from agencies such as the Millennium Challenge Corporation. We are grateful for Representative Gwen Moore and Chidi Blyden’s leadership in supporting the importance of our civilian tools of national power, development, and diplomacy.