Washington, D.C. - Congressman Adam Smith was honored with the Initiative for Global Development’s (IGD) inaugural Congressional Leadership Award during the opening ceremony of their 2009 National Summit at the Willard InterContinental hotel in Washington, D.C. Congressman Smith was selected for the award to recognize his efforts to advance policies that promote economic growth and reduce poverty worldwide.

In particular, he was chosen for his leadership in efforts to bring greater coherence and efficiency to U.S. development policy by sponsoring the Global Poverty Act, working for broader reform of foreign assistance programs, and promoting trade policies that catalyze investment and growth in underdeveloped countries.

“Taking action to vastly reduce global poverty must be one of America’s top foreign policy priorities.  As one of the richest countries in the world, it is not only a moral imperative that the United States does more to help the billions of people living in poverty around the world, it is also in our national security interest,” Smith said.  “I am humbled to receive this honor and look forward to working with my colleagues to continue improving and strengthening programs that aim to reduce global poverty.”

IGD is a national alliance of business leaders that champions effective solutions to global poverty.  IGD advocates for U.S.leadership on poverty reduction through improved trade and aid policies as well as greater private sector participation in the economic development of poor countries.

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