Over the past week, 373 Americans have bought USAID flags for their members of Congress.
Buy an $8 USAID Flag for Your Senator
Today, I want to share with you some stories from individuals across our nation who have stepped up to buy USAID flags.
Help us reach our goal of 1,000 flags by buying a flag at https://givebutter.com/usaidflags
Buying USAID flags for your members of Congress is like writing them a letter they will see every day. When we distribute flags on July 21st, we’ll let your members know the flags are from you. You can specify who you want us to give your flags to on our donation form.
These Flags Are From The American People
“As a retired senior military officer, I understand the value of foreign assistance for national security. In addition to the inherent good in the humanitarian mission, which is consistent with the values of every major religion, American foreign assistance improves stability worldwide and reduces the influence of adversary nations. A more stable world generally means less armed conflict, which is far more expensive with much deeper and more dire consequences. While USAID was not perfect - no federal organization is - the agency was not only our best face abroad, but also one of our greatest sources of intelligence and global impact. I wholeheartedly support its reinstatement as soon as possible; its dissolution has already resulted in rising Chinese operations and a loss of trust in America, and in hundreds of thousands of deaths.”
Colonel Anne Johnson, Maryland
“I purchased a USAID flag for my representatives from Alabama because, to me, it represents the hope America has offered millions of people around the world through decades of bipartisan leadership and service. Having served under that flag, I saw firsthand how it came to symbolize America’s commitment to reducing poverty, preventing conflict, responding to crises, and building lasting partnerships. I hope it serves as a reminder that our greatest strength has always been our ability to unite across political differences in pursuit of a safer, more prosperous, and more compassionate world.”
Guy Martorana, Alabama
“USAID promotes humanity - period. By doing what is possible to keep disease from causing hardship around the world, USAID may be our best way to put America first.”
Irene Domenica, Illinois
“I purchased flags because I believe that USAID represents the best of the American people. Using only about 1% of the U.S. budget, foreign assistance is in the American interest. USAID promoted American values and goodwill between the United States and more than 100 partner countries. It provided more than 50,000 American jobs and invested billions annually in the American economy. It promoted American business overseas and educational and research partnerships that enhance American productivity. USAID’s work helps keep Americans safe by managing public health risks overseas. It promotes American security by providing economic opportunities as alternatives to migration or terrorism. Again, USAID’s work represents the best that we are as American people.”
Debbie Grieser, DC
“I was a dedicated public servant and USAID Foreign Service Health Officer. I spent my public health career serving the USG as both an implementer of USAID programs and then as a designer and manager of those programs. USAID was not just a humanitarian organization that saved lives, but a key pillar of US good will and diplomacy. The arm of the USG that provided support to countries without asking for something in return. I have now been unemployed for a year and still search for a job that will allow me to serve people using my public health experience and passion. I also watch as the people we served suffer and, in some cases, die due to a lack of funding to provide access to high quality health care workers, medicines, and clinics. Please help to bring back USAID so that I can return to the work that I loved so much”
Robin Keeley, Rhode Island
“We are a nation of generous, hard-working individuals. We want to do what is best for our country and for our neighbors in need. USAID’s work encompasses these values, values which extend beyond today’s political divisions. USAID is for the people and of the people. It is what it means to be American. To share our fortune globally. To save mothers and children from death. To prevent diseases from reaching our shores, and to protect our nation while showing leadership abroad.”
Ashyln Gudmundson, Utah
“I worked for USAID in some capacity for 18 years. I deployed with urban search and rescue professionals in Haiti; met with community leaders in the Kordofan region of Sudan, managed our global budget, and worked to make our award-making processes more efficient and effective.
No place is perfect, and no government agency is perfect—that is sure. But my colleagues were the smartest, most dedicated people you could imagine. These were the best of us — working hard for the rest of us—especially the marginalized and oppressed around the world. USAID staff all deserved so much better than to be maligned as we were—the lies were as hurtful as the actions against us. But the cost to those around the world was one borne in lives lost. We will also bear a huge cost in the lost faith in the U.S. among the general public here and abroad.
There are reforms to be made. But those should be legislated, not chainsawed into existence.”
Anonymous, Maryland
“USAID represents the best of America to the rest of the world: goodwill, compassion, collaboration to make the world a better place for all of us. In many parts of the world, it’s the only presence of America the general public will experience, when they open that USAID-funded teacher training manual, bag of rice, or antimalarial bednet. And that humanity we demonstrate and the goodwill it generates comes right back to us in new trading markets, strategic partners, and political alliances that help us advance U.S. strategic priorities in the world. It’s a fundamental tool of national security and its absence is one China and Russia celebrate every day. Please ensure there are adequate in-country experts prepared to engage in the long-term relationship building, strategic coordination and oversight taxpayers deserve for foreign assistance investments which need to be so much more than the lifesaving pieces of disaster response and health security. Please don’t hamstring a core tool of America’s national security and influence on the international stage by letting this strategic tool be mismanaged or downsized prematurely.”
Anonymous, Washington
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