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Dear Board of Directors,

For those of you who were able to join us for our meetings earlier this week, thank you for participating in what I thought were extremely useful discussions. For those of you traveling, you were missed. But I look forward to having everyone together on June 17 for the Tribute Dinner honoring Senators Corker and Coons.

Here are a few quick items that I wanted to share:


1. Board Meeting Recap. In addition to our strategy discussion, our outside guests proved to be a very valuable part of our strategy. The dinner with Karl Rove was not only quite entertaining, but I can already tell will be extremely helpful down the road. The conversations with Ambassador Mike Froman and Secretary Jack Lew were timely and could lead to some opportunities to highlight our issues within the broader trade debate. It is a real testament to you that both of them made time to meet, given everything that was happening on TPA on Tuesday!


I will keep you posted on our Impact 2016 work and the timing of our opinion research - your input was quite helpful in kicking off this project. The big push for us next week will be our insider's strategy around the Senate Appropriation's 302(b) allocations. Confidentially, we are hearing that they may use an unusual accounting mechanism to get additional funding for international programs. I will keep you posted.


Finally, mark your calendar for October 6-7 for our last Board meeting of the year.


2. Presidential Candidates Continue to Speak Out. Marco Rubio was the latest to give a formal foreign policy speech, or as he called it, "The Rubio Doctrine". Within his three pillars (American military strength, protection of the American economy, and a pledge to express America's core values), he had a clear statement of support on foreign aid: "We must recognize that our nation is a global leader not just because it has superior arms, but because it has superior aims. As President, I will...maintain a robust commitment to transparent and effective foreign assistance programs, and advance the rights of the vulnerable, including women and the religious minorities that are so often persecuted, so that the afflicted peoples of the world know the truth: the American people hear their cries, see their suffering, and most of all, desire their freedom." Here is a link to the full text<https://medium.com/@marcorubio/the-rubio-doctrine-23ecb9274656>.


Unfortunately, Rand Paul attacked Rubio on this specific aspect of his speech, claiming he was on the "wrong side of history": "'If any Republican nominee wants to run on the idea that borrowing money and printing it up and sending it to foreign countries that often hate us and burn our flag and think it's a good idea, feel free to run on that issue...But it's not really popular with the people."


3. Our Brasstops Do It Again. Twice this week, our military champions have reinforced our message using their own platforms to advance our cause. Doesn't get better than this!


s Admiral James Stavridis, Co-Chair of USGLC's National Security Advisory Council, penned an article in Foreign Policy<http://foreignpolicy.com/2015/05/13/some-thoughts-for-americas-next-top-general-joe-dunford-joint-chiefs/> giving advice to the newly appointed Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Joe Dunford, making our case: "While your focus must be on the front-end combat requirements, you can play a powerful voice supporting partners like State, Treasury, USAID, and the intelligence community as they get at the longer-term issues - which are economic, cultural, political, and diplomatic. Again, your voice will be important to make sure we use both hard and soft power intelligently."


s General Jim Mattis, a long-time friend of the USGLC, delivered remarks to a skeptical audience at the Heritage Foundation this week, saying, "We have two powers: one is the power of inspiration, one is the power of intimidation. I was part of the power of intimidation," but "we need to get USAID, the State Department...Radio Free Europe...and the Broadcast Board of Governors...We have got to get other ways of competing...I used to go down to Congress and say that if you are not going to fund the State Department fully, then will you still vote to give me more ammunition."


4. Upcoming Flagship Events. Watch for more details on the specific schedule for the Tribute Dinner<http://dinner.usglc.org/> (June 17) and the State Leaders Summit<http://summit.usglc.org/> (June 16-17). While we have not officially announced it, please save 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday June 16th for Secretary Kerry's remarks at our State Leaders Summit. I will also circulate our marquee events happening around the country which I hope you will consider attending.


Finally, I want to update you on our Board colleague Geralyn Ritter, who was seriously injured in the Amtrak accident on Tuesday evening after leaving our meeting. Geralyn has undergone multiple surgeries and is still in critical, but stable condition. She is a strong person, and while I understand she has a very long recovery ahead, I join all of you in praying for her speedy recovery. Her office will forward any cards or notes to her and family. Her office address is: Merck; Attention: Geralyn Ritter; 2000 Galloping Hill Rd; K1 - 4157; Kenilworth NJ; 07033-1310.


Have a great weekend.

Liz Schrayer
President & CEO, USGLC