Healing for Peace

Administration's A-list convenes at the Kuwait-America Foundation gala dinner for Project HOPE
March 7 · Embassy Residence of the State of Kuwait

PHOTOS BY VICKY POMBO AND ZAID HAMID

"Tonight, you have a front-row seat to a great display of both humanity and diplomacy," remarked master of ceremonies Charlie Rose as he kicked-off a power-infused philanthropic dinner that recognized donors of $1.5 million for equipment and training for the Basrah Children's Hospital in Iraq (to be overseen by Project HOPE). Such a display that Rose went on to say he could book his show for the next six months selecting only from the ultra-exclusive list assembled in the elaborately-decorated residence of Kuwaiti Ambassador Salem Al-Sabah and his wife Rima Al-Sabah.

The couple's tightly-controlled guest list read like an attendance roster at a White House who's who. "What I want to know is, who's having dinner with the President," joked Rose. Karl Rove, Joshua Bolten, Samuel Bodman, Elaine Chao, Stephen Hadley, Michael Chertoff, Carlos Gutierrez and Gen. Peter Pace, among other administration heavyweights, dined on lobster, foie gras terrine and veal piccata in between food for thought from First Lady Laura Bush, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, Iraqi Ambassador Samir Sumaidaie and Dr. John Howe, president and CEO of Project HOPE.

"The Basrah Children's Hospital signifi cantly expands the capacity of healthcare in Iraq and will address the needs of Iraq's seriously ill children, especially those suffering from cancer," Rima Al-Sabah noted.

The First Lady touched upon the legacy of Saddam Hussein's rule in her address, commenting that during his rein, "Iraq's health care system fell into ruin." She added, "Now, as the people of Iraq work to rebuild their country, improving health care for children is a top priority." Secretary Rice took a more macroview: "This hospital is part of a wider effort to build a free, peaceful and prosperous Iraq."

Charitable causes notwithstanding, the evening was a potent networking opportunity for corporate benefactors from ExxonMobil, Dow Chemical, Chevron, Shell Oil, Conoco Phillips, Valero, Marathon Oil, Fluor, AECOM and Tesoro, who were rewarded with premium seating for their contributions. White House Chief of Staff Josh Bolten was rewarded with something more light-hearted - a jam session with Grammy awardwinner Randy Travis, ending the evening on an upbeat note. Additional VIPs included Justice Anthony Kennedy, Sen. Ted Stevens, Rep. John Dingell, Francis Townsend, Robert Kimmitt and D.C. Mayor Adrian Fenty.

Rep. John Dingell

Fred Malek and Mayor Adrian Fenty

Master of Ceremonies Charlie Rose	Alicia and Deputy Secretary of EnergyClay Sell with Bryan Malnak

Karl Rove and Charlie Rose	Rima Al-Sabah, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, Kuwaiti Amb. Salem Al-Sabah and First Lady Laura Bush

Rex and Renda Tillerson	Deputy Chief of Staff Joel and Laura Kaplan with Deputy Secretary of Treasury Robert Kimmitt

Shirin Tahir-Kheli and Project HOPE president and CEO Dr. John Howe	Robb Houston with Dede McClure

Secretary of Commerce Carlos Gutierrez and Edi Gutierrez	Barbara Harrison, Michelle Fenty and Joe Robert

White House Chief of Staff Josh Bolten sits in with Randy Travis on "Forever and Ever, Amen."	Paula and Jay Pryor

Iraqi Amb. Samir Sumaidaie	Meshal and Hiba Abushaibah with Gail and Bruce Smith

John Townsend, National Security Advisor Stephen Hadley, Ann Hadley and Homeland Security Advisor Frances Townsend	Secretary of Energy Samuel Bodman and John Hopkins

Lisa Gordon-Hagerty, Becky Kilbourne and James Jaska	Undersecretary of State Paula Dobriansky and Secretary of Labor Elaine Chao

Meryl and Secretary of Homeland Security Michael Chertoff	Michael Sonnenreich

Elizabeth and Randy Travis with Lynne and General Peter Pace