For Immediate Release: October 17, 2011
Contact: Lorri Crowley (202) 482-3809
Newly launched Peace-Through Commerce Award Recognizes Eight International Organizations
Under Secretary of International Trade Francisco Sánchez Announces First Recipients
WASHINGTON -- Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade Francisco Sánchez today announced the eight individuals and organizations that will receive the International Trade Administration’s inaugural Peace through Commerce Medal Award.
The award, reintroduced by Sánchez, recognizes an individual, group, or organization, either domestic or abroad, whose actions have significantly promoted and developed U.S. export initiatives, encouraged innovative approaches, and improved overall U.S. trade relations.
“The Peace through Commerce Medal winners have all played a crucial and proactive role in increasing trade and strengthening our countries overall relations. They also assist us in fully exercising President Obama’s National Export Initiative,” Sánchez said. “Their efforts have led to increased exports of U.S. manufactured goods and services, thus creating jobs at home and stimulating the economy.”
President Obama’s National Export Initiative seeks to double U.S. exports by the end of 2014, supporting millions of jobs. “Working with individuals and organizations like those we honor today, who understand the value of strong commercial relations through trade, will help advance the opportunities and economy for all of our countries,” said Sanchez.
The Peace through Commerce Medal dates back to the first Secretary of State, Thomas Jefferson, who commissioned the medal in 1790. Jefferson gifted the medal, formerly known as the Diplomatic Medal, to foreign diplomats who aided the Continental Congress during the American Revolution. The medal is most renowned for its inscription, To Peace and Commerce, centered along the top.
The 2011 Peace through Commerce Medal Award recipients are:
- China Council for the Promotion of International Trade, Beijing, China
- Fred Irwin, President, American Chamber of Commerce in Germany and Vice Chairman of Citigroup, Global Markets Deutschland AG, Frankfurt, Germany
- Frederick Lam, Executive Director, Hong Kong Trade Development Council, Hong Kong
- International Franchise Association, Washington, D.C.
- Jerry Levine, President, Mentor International, San Francisco, Calif.
- Kiran Pasricha, Confederation of Indian Industry, Arlington, Va.
- Pete Peterson, President, Peterson International, Inc., Victoria, Australia
- Putera Sampoerna, Founder, Sampoerna Foundation, Jakarta, Indonesia
The winners will receive their medals at a ceremony in their honor November 30, 2011.
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International Trade Administration
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