Rep. Sharice Davids Discusses Benefits of U.S. Global Engagement to Kansas Economy, Agriculture, and National Security
Today, the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition (USGLC) hosted a conversation with Representative Sharice Davids (D-KS-03), “America and the World: How Kansas Wins,” bringing together veteran, business, community, agricultural, and faith leaders at Johnson Community College. Rep. Davids was joined by former U.S. Secretary of Agriculture and longtime Kansas Representative Dan Glickman (D-KS-04, 1977-1995) for a timely discussion on how America’s role in the world directly impacts Kansas’s economy, agricultural prosperity, and global competitiveness.
Kansas’s economy is deeply connected to the global marketplace, with international trade supporting one in five jobs statewide. As the nation’s eighth-largest agricultural exporter—with wheat, corn, soybeans, and beef shipped through America’s heartland to global markets—Kansas has a clear stake in America’s international engagement.
Representative Davids underscored how American global leadership directly benefits Kansas communities: “Kansas farmers and agribusinesses demonstrate that when America leads on the world stage, our state benefits tremendously. Our agricultural producers feed the world, exporting to dozens of countries and creating good-paying jobs across rural Kansas. Strategic international engagement creates the stable conditions our farmers and businesses need to compete globally.”
“Kansas plays a vital role in America’s connection to the world—from our booming agricultural export economy to the veterans and community leaders who understand the value of strong, effective U.S. leadership overseas,” said USGLC Deputy Outreach Director Emily Tavino. “We’re grateful to Congresswoman Davids for her leadership and partnership in highlighting how diplomacy and development, alongside defense, help keep Kansas safe and prosperous—and how smart, results-driven investments in international assistance make these tools even more effective and accountable to the American people.”
The conversation, “America and the World: How Kansas Wins,” is part of USGLC’s Heartland Initiative, which highlights how America’s Heartland—whether feeding the hungry, exporting to every corner of the globe, or creating new jobs through global economic engagement—is building a better, safer, more prosperous world.
The U.S. Global Leadership Coalition ( www.usglc.org ) is a broad-based influential network of 500 businesses and NGOs; national security and foreign policy experts; and business, faith-based, academic, military, and community leaders in all 50 states who support strategic investments to elevate development and diplomacy alongside defense in order to build a better, safer world.