stay informed

Foreign Policy

In 2004, I had the privilege of being asked to represent the United States of America on the United Nations Advisory Committee of Local Authorities (UNACLA).   In this capacity, I represented all of our nation's local authorities at the United Nations. It was an incredible honor and a heavy responsibility.

That position has allowed me to meet with leaders from all over the globe and diverse backgrounds.  One of my most memorable conversations took place during a meeting in Barcelona, Spain, with former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev. I've worked with elected and appointed officials from a wide range of countries, such as Colombia, Japan, the Russian Federation, South Africa, Mexico, China, and the United Arab Emirates.

Working to solve problems on the global stage has certainly changed my perspective on what we consider problems. While Americans face many pressing issues, we are more fortunate than many in the world.  For instance, the first meeting I took part in focused on how to deliver clean drinking water to citizens who did not have access to it. Something as simple as turning on the tap is something we take for granted, but in many places on Earth, potable water is a precious commodity.

I've also come to realize national security is something the United States works hard to provide - and something Americans enjoy with very little conscious thought. During one UNACLA session, I had the privilege of engaging in a group discussion with the former prime minister of Lebanon, Rafik Hariri. A few months after that session, Mr. Hariri was killed in a car bomb attack in the Middle East.

The world is not a uniformly safe and secure place. Each day, millions of people live in fear of physical attack. They live in poverty and hunger. They are under constant threat of disease and disaster.

The United States - both on its own and through our global alliances - is to be a beacon of hope for the entire world. That is the promise and pledge of this nation, and it's a responsibility I take seriously.


[ Back to Issues ]