MODERATOR: Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome the Secretary of State Antony Blinken; Under Secretary for Economic Growth, Energy, and the Environment Jose Fernandez; Special Representative for Commercial and Business Affairs Sarah Morgenthau; United States Ambassador to Poland Mark Brzezinski; and the 2023 Award for Corporate Excellence recipients; and finally, our master of ceremonies, Assistant Secretary for Economic and Business Affairs Ramin Toloui. (Applause.)
ASSISTANT SECRETARY TOLOUI: Good morning, everyone. Welcome to the 24th annual ceremony for the Secretary of State's Award for Corporate Excellence. On behalf of the entire Bureau of Economic and Business Affairs, I'd like to thank you all for being here today, both in person in the historic Benjamin Franklin Room and tuning in virtually on our livestream from around the world. I'm honored to be with you here to help recognize the exemplary work of U.S. companies and their impact on communities worldwide.
At the 2023 ACE award ceremony, we are honoring five U.S. companies, large and small, for creating positive societal impact in the categories of sustainable supply chains, innovation, and women's economic security. Not only do these five companies serve as role models for other American businesses, they set standards for the private sector to follow across the globe. I think I speak on behalf of everyone when I extend my sincere gratitude to the five winning companies today. You demonstrate the best to the world, what the best of American Corporate Excellence and U.S. values are.
