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Dear Board of Directors,

I’m thrilled to share with you that our first honorees are official for this year’s Tribute Dinner: the 180 members of the USGLC’s National Security Advisory Council (NSAC). I’m so pleased that NSAC’s Co-Chairs, Admiral Jim Stavridis and General Tony Zinni, will accept the tribute on behalf of the entire Council.

The story of this year has been the strength of our military voices – who have proved to be an unrivaled force in advancing American global leadership and our coalition’s mission. We are hoping as many of our 180 generals and admirals can join us as possible for what will be a very special and unique celebration of service and gratitude.

Please be on the lookout for the formal invitation announcing the December 5th dinner at the Marriott Marquis. We look forward to full Board participation and ask your help in engaging new partners. If you have any questions please reach out to Melissa at mlieberman@usglc.org<mailto:mlieberman@usglc.org>.

A few other notable items to share:


* GENERAL KELLY. Late last week, Chief of Staff John Kelly gave a rare White House press briefing, and in the midst of talking about a wide range of issues, he echoed Secretary Mattis’ infamous quote: “If you don’t fund the State Department properly, buy us more bullets.” It’s the first time General Kelly has publicly commented on our issue since joining the White House, which we hope bodes well as we enter the FY19 budget cycle. Watch the video here<https://twitter.com/USGLC/status/918612105296842758>.


* HOUSE APPROPS CHAIR. In another first, House Appropriations Chairman Rep. Rodney Frelinghuysen spoke out powerfully in support of our civilian tools in his own op-ed<http://www.northjersey.com/story/opinion/contributors/2017/10/10/opinion-what-donald-trump-should-saying-world/750698001/> to his constituents back home this past weekend, saying: “Yes, ‘hard power’ is essential. But, after all, it is the ‘soft power’ of diplomacy and engagement that will determine if, as the president said at the U.N., ‘we lift the world to new heights, or let it fall into a valley of disrepair.’”


* IN THE SENATE. The chamber is taking up the FY18 Budget Resolution this week and with it the possibility of another amendment by Senator Rand Paul that could make devastating cuts to the International Affairs Budget. Watching to see if he also offers amendments to offset emergency disaster assistance by cutting foreign assistance.

Lastly, I just returned from a fundraising trip in Northern California, this time traveling with Admiral Stavridis. We were both so deeply saddened by the devastating fires, but pleased to see the energy around our discussions. Lots more to share – but for now, as always, our work continues.

Best,
Liz
Liz Schrayer, USGLC