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Dear USGLC Board of Directors,


I think I am almost over my jetlag from our highly successful trip to Ethiopia/Tanzania with the GOP operatives. I look forward to updating you about the trip and sharing the positive feedback we have received from the participants. But for today - it's all about next week's Tribute Dinner and the final FY15 Budget deal.


We are expecting nearly 900 guests on Wednesday night and I hope to see most of you at what I know will be one of our most spectacular Tribute Dinners. Please make every effort to attend as we are anticipating a record-number of VIPs from the Hill and the Administration.

Here is a quick update on the Tribute Dinner and the Budget outlook:


§ VIP Record Turnout. We are expecting a big crowd at our VIP reception from Capitol Hill, the Administration, and the policy community so please arrive on time to greet our guests. One particularly exciting element this year is that the GR team secured over 200 Honorary Congressional Co-Chairs with a strong showing from both sides of the aisle - a record - and the list includes over half of the Senate!


§ Program to Show Bipartisan Strength. The program will feature several elements to reinforce the bipartisan message - a special tribute by Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) to USAID Administrator Raj Shah and a lively discussion with honorees Senators Kelly Ayotte and Tim Kaine (former DNC chair and potential GOP Vice Presidential candidate). Our dinner co-chairs, UNF's Kathy Calvin and Chevron's Rhonda Zygocki have been fabulous and will share the stage with Lt. General Kip Ward, Commander U.S. AFRICOM (Ret.), who will pay tribute to veterans and civilian professionals, and the evening will conclude with a joyful performance by a Ugandan children's choir.


§ Budget Deadline Looms. On the eve of our dinner, Congress is expected to complete work on the FY appropriations package as the current CR expires the next day, December 11. While some remaining thorny issues are still being negotiated, an agreement is very close on the "cromnibus" package (part omnibus, part CR) which will fund all but the immigration-related agencies through the end of the fiscal year. For the International Affairs programs, the final funding levels will be mixed. On the positive side, the total levels (base funding + OCO + emergency Ebola funding) will exceed current levels, which we will praise. While I don't know the exact numbers, the concern will be that the base funding will be below current levels falling somewhere in between the Senate and the House proposed levels. I will report out as soon as I know the final numbers.


Have a wonderful weekend and I look forward to celebrating with you. Despite the very difficult year on the world stage in 2014, there is much for the USGLC to celebrate. See you at 6:00 PM at the Omni Shoreham Hotel on Wednesday, December 10!

Best regards,

Liz

Liz Schrayer
President & CEO, USGLC
liz@schrayer.com<mailto:liz@schrayer.com>