Fortenberry Comments on President Obama's Address To U.N. General Assembly

Press Release

Congressman Jeff Fortenberry today commented on President Obama's first address to the United Nations General Assembly. Speaking before an audience of world leaders, the President described the "four pillars" upon which his Administration would seek to engage the international community--namely, progress in nuclear nonproliferation and disarmament, the promotion of peace and security throughout the world, the preservation of the planet, and the creation of an equitable global economy.

"I noted the President's emphasis that an increasingly globally interconnected world demands responsibility from all partners of the international community," said Fortenberry. "As the President stated, Americans will not tolerate empty criticism from those who choose to simply sit on the sidelines while expecting America to bear all burdens."

Regarding nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament, the Administration seeks to promote a set of international treaties to reduce the dangers posed by nuclear weapons.

"Nuclear weapons proliferation is a threat to the very existence of mankind," said Fortenberry. "There needs to be an international commitment to stem the spread of nuclear materials and technologies to those who wish to do us harm."

Congressman Fortenberry is co-founder of the House of Representatives Nuclear Security Caucus. Yesterday he led a discussion about the pros and cons of the United States ratification of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty, one of President Obama's major foreign policy goals. Fortenberry is a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee.

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