FARMINGTON, ME – Today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) spoke at an event hosted by the University of Maine at Farmington (UMF) and the Maine Chapter of the Fulbright Association in which he laid out the lessons he has learned in the realm of foreign policy since joining the Senate Armed Services and Intelligence Committees in January 2013.

“These past two years have been an incredible lesson not just in foreign relations, but really, in human relations,” Senator King said. “And through my Committee work, which has taken me from Israel to the Arctic and beyond, I have learned – perhaps above all else – that American leadership and American diplomacy is crucial in the world today, whether we’d like to accept it or not.

“Indeed, the United States is one of the most powerful countries in the world and remains a champion of democracy, freedom, equality, and human rights. Of course, we do not and will not always have the answer to every problem that arises across the globe, but it is incumbent upon us – it is our responsibility – to work alongside our partners and allies to forge an international community that pursues peace rather than violence, fosters understanding rather than division, and promotes freedom in the face of repression.

“It is and always will be one of the most challenging pursuits the United States engages in, and undoubtedly it will require thoughtful leadership, but when done well, can result in a better, more peaceful and prosperous world for future generations.”

Senator King today spoke to a crowd of current and retired Fulbright scholars; UMF students, faculty, and staff; and the general public. As a member of both the Senate Armed Services Committee and the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, Senator King has been heavily engaged in the most pressing foreign policy issues of the past two years. To help inform his work, he has traveled to several countries in the Middle East and Asia, including Turkey, Jordan, Lebanon, Afghanistan, Pakistan and India.

He returned just this week from a bipartisan congressional delegation visit to Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Israel where he met with senior government, military, and intelligence officials to discuss a vast number of issues, including the coalition campaign against ISIL, the ongoing Iranian nuclear negotiations, the humanitarian situation in Syria, the need for renewed peace talks between Israel and Palestine and other economic, security and human rights issues.

The Fulbright Program is the United States’ flagship international educational exchange program, and for nearly seventy years, students, scholars, artists, and business professionals have helped foster improved bilateral relations between the United States.

UMF was recognized as a 2012 Fulbright Scholar “top producer” by the Institute of International Education and the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, which sponsors the Fulbright Program. There are fifteen current and recently retired Fulbright Scholars at UMF.

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