On October 27, 2011, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton will host a gala dinner celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the Diplomatic Reception Rooms and the completion of the Patrons of Diplomacy endowment campaign in the Benjamin Franklin State Dining Room at the United States Department of State. Secretary Clinton will be joined by former Secretaries of State Henry Kissinger, Madeleine Albright and Colin Powell to celebrate the Diplomatic Reception Rooms and participate in the event.
The event will feature remarks by Secretary Clinton and all the former Secretaries of State in attendance, a musical performance by internationally renowned artist and opera singer Jessye Norman and a special meal prepared by U.S. Department of State “Culinary Ambassador” Chef Jose Andres.
The opening program, musical performance and subsequent speaking program will be open to credentialed members of the media.
Pre-set time for video cameras: 4:45 p.m. from the C Street entrance lobby.
Final access time for opening program and musical performance: 6:00 p.m. from the C Street entrance lobby.
Final access for speaking program: 7:00 p.m. from the C Street entrance lobby.
For fifty years, the art of diplomacy has thrived in the State Department’s Diplomatic Reception Rooms against a stunning backdrop of American art and architecture from the time of our country’s founding and its formative years. The historic suite of forty-two rooms contains a museum-caliber collection of American fine and decorative art, including 5,000 objects from the period of 1750-1825. In these rooms, the United States has signed treaties and conducted summit negotiations, hosted peace talks and facilitated trade agreements.
The Patrons of Diplomacy endowment will ensure that the Diplomatic Reception Rooms and collection continue to provide an extraordinary backdrop for American diplomacy.
PRESS CONTACTS:
Department of State
Office of Press Relations
(202) 647-2492
Department of State
Office of Protocol
Kamyl Bazbaz
BazbazK@state.gov.
