The International Center to honor Dan Coats as the 2020 International Citizen of the Year
(INDIANAPOLIS – February 5, 2020) – The board of directors of The International Center has chosen Dan Coats, an American statesman and former diplomat, as recipient of the 2020 International Citizen of the Year (ICY) Award, which honors individuals whose work has achieved global impact and elevated Indiana on the world stage. The award will be presented at a dinner and program on Sept. 29 at the Indiana Roof Ballroom in downtown Indianapolis.
The announcement was made at The International Center’s annual meeting on Feb. 5 at the Howard L. Schrott Center for the Arts at Butler University. Gerry Dick, president and managing editor of Grow INdiana Media Ventures and International Center board member, emceed the meeting.
“We are honored to present the 2020 International Citizen of the Year award to Dan Coats. He has represented international interests throughout his time in public service and has worked to create policy that benefits not only Indiana, but the world,” said Julie K. Griffith, executive vice president of the Indiana Innovation Institute and International Center board chair.
Dan Coats, the 34th recipient of the ICY award, has been a public servant for 26 years and has influenced international policy throughout his career. Coats served as the Director of National Intelligence for the Trump administration from 2017 to 2019. He also served as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Indiana, and twice as a United States Senator representing Indiana. He was appointed United States Ambassador to Germany, a post he held from 2001-2005.
As the United States Ambassador to Germany, Coats played a key role in establishing a relationship with opposition leader Angela Merkel, who has gone on to become chancellor of Germany. He also guided the construction of a new United States Embassy in Berlin next to the Brandenburg Gate.
Martin Baier, president and CEO of The International Center, said, “We are proud to have this opportunity to recognize Senator Coats’ many international accomplishments and the way he has represented Indiana to the world. We look forward to celebrating him this fall in a way he richly deserves.”
Requests for information about the event may be directed to Glennda McGann at gmcgann@internationalcenter.org.
