Media Note Office of the Spokesman Washington, DC November 15, 2006 Under Secretary of State Karen P. Hughes to participate in announcement regarding medical diplomacyUnder Secretary of State Karen P. Hughes will participate in a press conference on Why Mercy Matters, a presentation regarding the operations of the U.S. Navy hospital ship Mercy on Thursday, November 16, 2006, at 9:30 a.m. at the National Press Club. Admiral Michael G. Mullen, Chief of Naval Operations, John Howe, III, M.D., President and CEO, Project HOPE, and Kenneth Ballen, President, Terror Free Tomorrow will highlight the significant work of the Mercy in assisting disaster victims in Indonesia and Bangladesh and demonstrating the compassion and concern of the American people. Hughes will attend to underscore the crucial role of medical diplomacy in U.S. efforts to partner with and support people and countries around the world. The USNS Mercy has recently returned from a five-month humanitarian aid mission to the Philippines, Indonesia, Bangladesh and East Timor. During that mission the U.S. Navy and Project HOPE provided care and delivered health services that earned the respect and gratitude of the people in Indonesia and Bangladesh. Details: For more information about the event or to R.S.V.P., please contact Rand Walton (540-837-9469, 540-729-7425, or rwalton@projecthope.org) or Suzanne Jordan (301-347-3922 or sjordan@projecthope.org). 2006/1041
|