U.S. Chamber President Says Business, Military Committed in Fight for Economic Freedom

In Remarks at West Point, Donohue Highlights Unified Defense of Free Enterprise

WEST POINT, NY—The military and business community must work together to introduce free enterprise principles in post-conflict and post-disaster countries to foster stability and economic growth, U.S. Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Thomas J. Donohue said today in a speech at the United States Military Academy.

“Our efforts will never entail the level of sacrifice that our men and women in uniform make every day, but it does unite our two worlds,” said Donohue while speaking to more than 200 cadets. “The U.S. Chamber is committed to preserving and advancing economic freedom—as embodied in our free enterprise system.”

In his remarks, Donohue raised a number of key issues that will fundamentally shape America’s economic future and define our level of success. He pointed out that Washington must control the current binge of government spending, educate our future workforce, modernize our infrastructure, increase our domestic energy supply, act on the pending trade deals, and create entrepreneurial economies in post-conflict and disaster-relief countries.

“America is great not because we have the most powerful government, but because we have the most powerful idea. And that idea is freedom—personal and economic freedom,” Donohue said. “A grateful nation can never adequately repay the debt it owes to the men and women in uniform—and their families—who shoulder so many burdens and make so many sacrifices for our freedom.

“I represent the American business community, and its members don’t always agree on every issue,” he said. “But we are united in our support of the military.”

Donohue’s prepared remarks are available at: http://www.uschamber.com/press/speeches/2011/preserving-economic-freedom

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