Ronald Reagan Presidential Library Benefit In a truly bi-partisan gesture of appreciation, Republican and Democratic
leaders from the House and Senate joined together to honor Nancy Reagan
at the Ronald Reagan Building on Wednesday, May 11. Washington A-listers
turned out in force for the former first lady, who dazzled the crowd in her first
public appearance since the death of her husband last year. Mrs. Reagan,
wearing a silver Oscar de la Renta gown, was overheard pressing her views
on the critical importance of stem cell research during the VIP cocktail reception.
Guests included Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, Senate Democratic Leader
Harry Reid, Speaker of the House J. Dennis Hastert and House Democratic
Leader Nancy Pelosi. Others included Diane Sawyer, Tony Bennett, Larry King,
Donald Rumsfeld, Paul Wolfowitz, Lucky Roosevelt, Mandy and Mary Ourisman
and Reagan pals Betsey Bloomingdale, Mary Jane Wick, Lynn Wyatt, Aileen
Mehle, Dominick Dunne and Merv Griffin. The dinner raised over $2.5 million
for a presidential transportation pavilion at the Ronald Reagan Presidential
Library in California.
Photos by Kyle Samperton |