Look To The Stars News: George Bush Sr

Vijay Amritraj To Honor Bush And Clinton At Charity Gala

Thu, 16 Oct 2008 13:00:00 -0000

Former Indian tennis champion Vijay Amritraj is hosting his annual charity golf classic and gala this weekend.

The tournament will be played at the Lost Canyons Golf Club in Los Angeles on Friday, October 17, and the third Annual Vijay Amritraj Foundation Charity Black Tie Gala Banquet will be held in the heart of Beverly Hills California at the exquisite Beverly Wilshire Hotel the following night. Both events will raise money for the Vijay Amritraj Foundation, and the gala will honor the work of George Bush Sr and Bill Clinton. Although scheduling conflicts mean that neither honoree is able to attend, both will supply video messages.

Amritraj – a UN Messenger of Peace – established his foundation to bring hope, help and healing to the defenseless and innocent victims of disease, tragedy and circumstance in India.

“Through the Vijay Amritraj Foundation, we all can reach out and extend the helping hand of humanity,“ he said. “The mission of the Vijay Amritraj Foundation is to provide assistance to the forgotten; the charities without a voice. These are often the smaller charities of India who do not have the ability to raise money or awareness for their causes. They are charities serving children and adults who face extreme challenges in life; HIV/AIDS, family abandonment, and individuals ostracized by society for their illness.“

According to the Foundation’s website: “The gala promises to be the event of the year. Premier Indian Chef’s will prepare appetizers to compliment the Cocktail Reception along with a four course dining experience of exquisite Indian cuisine complimented by a selection of fine wines. This celebrity studded evening will host a live and silent auction that offer truly unique opportunities in support of the foundation’s charitable work. Following the awards ceremony world class entertainment will close this very special evening.“

More information about the events can be found at the Vijay Amritraj Foundation website.

Bono Calls For United States Of Africa

Wed, 04 Jun 2008 09:38:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Pop star and activist Bono has called for the creation of a United States of Africa as a way of solving the continent’s conflicts and problems.

The U2 singer made the statement while in Japan for a major development conference last week. The 48-year-old said that developing a broader identity may seem “poetic,” but has proven successful in the past.

“Irish people used to always have a little giggle when they would see Americans saluting their flags in schools, and then the whole standing there, singing the flag thing,” he said. “But as you get to know a little bit more about things, you start to think, ah, there’s so many different tribal groups in the United States, that to create a national identity of that size, they had to really work at this kind of patriotism.”

It is an initiative that has already been seen in Africa: the African Union – which has been involved in the conflicts in Darfur and the Comoros island of Anjouan – was created in 2002 with inspiration from the European Union, but some people say the body has lacked the funds and political will to take effective action on the continent’s flashpoints.

The singer also joined with Bob Geldof during his time in Japan to be a guest editor of a supplement to the Asahi Shimbun, an influential liberal daily newspaper. The edition featured articles penned by the likes of George Bush Sr and British Prime Minister Gordon Brown.

Bono used the opportunity to urge Japan to use the G8 summit to push forward the goal of halving extreme poverty in the world by 2015 and also praised Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda’s pledge to double Japanese aid to Africa. Bono appealed to the Japanese public to care more about Africa and pointed to the growing rivalry with China, which has been making inroads into Africa.

“The Japanese I know do not like the fact that China is leaving them behind in Africa,” wrote the singer. “They want to show the world what Japan stands for.”

Rockets Honor Dikembe Mutombo

Tue, 01 Apr 2008 12:44:52 -0000

Written by Delinda Lombardo

After 17-seasons in the NBA, Dikembe Mutombo is considering retirement, but it’s his off-the-court efforts that were the basis for a special event last week.

On Wednesday the Houston Rockets center was recognized for his humanitarian efforts during a special halftime ceremony. NBA Commissioner David Stern and Rockets owner Leslie Alexander honored Mutombo in a heartfelt tribute, which was followed by a standing ovation, a massive donation to his foundation and a Tux & Tennies Charity Gala.

“What can you get the man who could be the reincarnation of Mother Teresa,” teammate Shane Battier said. “I don’t think there is anything we could give him to signify how much we love him as a teammate and how much he means to the NBA. Honestly.”

Rockets owner Leslie Alexander handed the big guy a check for $500,000 to benefit the Biamba Marie Mutombo Hospital that Mutombo built in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Alexander then used the Rockets Annual Tux & Tennies Charity Gala to benefit Dikembe’s foundation and hospital.

“When Dikembe asked me to use this as an event for his cause, he showed me a video of people in Africa going to a hospital,” Alexander said Thursday. “They bring their own mattress. They walk in. There’s nobody there. There’s no drugs. There’s no medicine. There’s no facilities. There’s nothing. When you’re sick, you know how sad you are. I could just imagine in America walking into that same thing, how horrible they would feel. It shakes your bones. It (Wednesday’s donation) meant a great deal. It meant he could buy many goods and medicines for the people of the Congo. He is part of the Rocket family. To help him was really special.”

Mutombo’s humanitarian efforts have garnered a nod from both the current President and former President Bush. During his 2007 State of the Union Address, George W. Bush said: “Dikembe became a star in the NBA, and a citizen of the United States. But he never forgot the land of his birth, or the duty to share his blessings with others. A friend has said of this good-hearted man: ‘Mutombo believes that God has given him this opportunity to do great things.’ And we are proud to call this son of the Congo a citizen of the United States of America.”

Mutombo was present at the speech and later commented, “My heart was full of joy. I didn’t know the President was going to say such great remarks.”

Former President George H.W. Bush held a courtside seat for Wednesdays game and spoke at the event.

“There’s not many times people can get an occasion to have a former president to be the guest speaker for a function,” Mutombo said. “I think I was lucky enough to have that relationship and to have Les Alexander host this dinner and to make the gift to the Dikembe Mutombo Foundation … I just want to thank God for all His blessings,” he said. “I was very emotional seeing all my family members, my friends, my fans and the owner…you don’t get too many special nights like this. I’m just so happy, and I’m very lucky.”

He said he hoped fans would remember him as a man who did his best both on the court and off. “As someone who made a difference,” he said.

It’s hard to imagine Mutombo NOT making a difference. His remarkable charitable efforts span five different continents and he personally contributed $15M to build the hospital in the Congo.

“I was there at the beginning and watched what he wanted to do,” NBA Commissioner Stern said. “I was there for his first meeting with Nelson Mandela. I’ve been in love with him ever since…when we did our mission statement, we said basketball is No. 1 and social responsibility No. 2. NBA Cares could be Dikembe Cares because he sets the standard for social responsibility.”

Mutombo’s charity work should certainly land him a spot in the history books as one of the most noteworthy humanitarians of our time. Aside from establishing the Dikembe Mutombo Foundation and building a hospital, he’s earned an NBA Humanitarian award; was named one of the ‘Good Guys in Sports’ by the Sporting News for two years in a row; he’s won the President’s Service Award, the nation’s highest honor for volunteer service; he’s participated in Basketball Without Borders; he paid for uniforms and expenses for the Zaire women’s basketball team during the 1996 Centennial Olympic Games in Atlanta; he is a spokesman for the international relief agency, CARE (relief); and is the first Youth Emissary for the United Nations Development Program.

All this while playing in the NBA. Just imagine what he could do if he were to retire?

Beckham Presents Award To Pelé At Charity Dinner

Thu, 20 Mar 2008 11:02:14 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Several hundred people packed into Gotham Hall in midtown Manhatten yesterday, March 19, for a special charity dinner to raise funds for a children’s soccer charity. And the biggest drawcard was the presentation of an award from one soccer legend to another.

David Beckham said he was humbled to present a lifetime achievement award to Brazilian soccer star Pelé at the ceremony, which was held to benefit Harlem Youth Soccer, a recreational league designed to create a safe opportunity for fair and enjoyable play for inner city youth in New York.

“For me to be here to present this to the greatest sportsmen of all time, I feel particularly honored,” said the Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder. “This absolutely is a highlight moment for me.”

Pelé is widely regarded as one of the best soccer players to ever grace the field, and has been voted Player of the Century by FIFA and Athlete of the Century by the International Olympic Committee. The 67-year-old helped his native Brazil win three World Cups before moving to North America in 1975.

The $1,250-a-head charity dinner, chaired by former presidents Bill Clinton and George Bush Sr, aimed to raise $300,000 for Harlem Youth Soccer, a club that provides an opportunity for youth to have fun and fosters a spirit of good sportsmanship for players, parents, and coaches. Beckham said he became energized about Harlem’s potential when he was the centerpiece of a clinic for Harlem players last August.

“To have the children down there and to see their smiles, that’s why we have an event like this,” said Beckham. “For me to spend the afternoon I did in Harlem, it was one of the most amazing experiences I’ve had.”

Proceeds from the evening will go towards a $1 million new field planned for the non-profit club.

“It’s critical for the kids of the inner city to really reach out,” said Bush who, along with Clinton, was unable to attend the dinner. “It will change lives.”

“Harlem is a wonderful diverse community,” added Clinton in a taped message. He went on to say that participating in sports would help children “reach the ultimate goal—to become leaders off the field.”

Bono, DATA to Receive Liberty Medal via Webcast

Thu, 27 Sep 2007 13:02:12 -0000

U2 singer and activist Bono and DATA (Debt, AIDS, Trade, Africa), the advocacy organization he co-founded to combat poverty and disease in Africa, are scheduled to receive the 2007 Liberty Medal today to at 7:00 p.m. at the National Constitution Center in Historic Philadelphia.

The National Constitution Center, in partnership with the Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation and WPVI-TV, will webcast the 2007 Liberty Medal ceremony live, making the event available to a worldwide audience for the first time.

“We are thrilled to provide global access to the 2007 Liberty Medal ceremony,” says National Constitution Center President and CEO Joseph M. Torsella. “This year’s recipients serve as inspirational examples of the power of citizens to elevate important issues to the world stage. The global reach of this webcast allows us to generate greater awareness of Bono’s and DATA’s exceptional contributions, and to support those that strive to ensure ‘the blessings of liberty’ throughout the world.”

The webcast will feature a special introduction by National Constitution Center Chairman, President George H.W. Bush. The live webcast will be streamed on www.libertymedal.org beginning at 7:00 p.m. EDT; a condensed version of the ceremony will be available later that night on www.constitutioncenter.org and www.gophila.com/libertymedal, and will be available for viewing through October.

The prestigious Liberty Medal, and its accompanying $100,000 prize, will recognize Bono and DATA’s groundbreaking work in raising awareness about and spurring a global response to the crisis of AIDS and extreme poverty in Africa.

Established in 1988 by We the People 2000 to commemorate the bicentennial of the U.S. Constitution, the Liberty Medal annually honors an individual or an organization from anywhere in the world that has “demonstrated leadership and vision in the pursuit of liberty of conscience or freedom from oppression, ignorance or deprivation.” Since 2006, the National Constitution Center has administered the Liberty Medal, which includes the annual presentation of the award and a host of supplemental programs and activities designed to extend the Medal’s reach throughout the year.

The National Constitution Center, located at 525 Arch St. on Philadelphia’s Independence Mall, is an independent, nonpartisan, nonprofit organization dedicated to increasing public understanding of the U.S. Constitution and the ideas and values it represents. The Center serves as a museum, an education center, and a forum for debate on constitutional issues. The museum dramatically tells the story of the Constitution from Revolutionary times to the present through more than 100 interactive, multimedia exhibits, film, photographs, text, sculpture and artifacts, and features a powerful, award-winning theatrical performance, “Freedom Rising”. The Center also houses the Annenberg Center for Education and Outreach, which serves as the hub for national constitutional education. For more information, call 215.409.6700 or visit www.constitutioncenter.org.

Former Presidents Bush and Clinton Hailed For Charity Work

Tue, 25 Sep 2007 11:54:20 -0000

Written by Crystal A. Johnson

The stars came out in early September not only to celebrate the marking of the 75th anniversary of Save the Children but to hail the former U.S. Commanders in Chief George Bush Sr and Bill Clinton for their humanitarian efforts worldwide. The specific work recognized was the presidents’ efforts to raise money for the victims of the tsunami in Indonesia and Hurricane Katrina.

Melinda French Gates, co-chair of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, was also recognized. The foundation has given $110 million to Save the Children over 11 years in an effort to help reduce child mortality rates in 18 developing countries, said Foundation spokesman Mike Kiernan. Save the Children was created in 1932 to ensure the well-being of children worldwide, including 12 and more than 50 countries.

Academy Award-nominated Samuel L. Jackson was the master of ceremonies at the event, which took place in a tent outside of the renowned Lincoln Center’s Avery Fisher Hall. A long list of dignitaries and a who’s who of Hollywood attended the event, including Julianne Moore, Drew Carey, Mischa Barton, Edie Falco, and Blythe Danner. Representing Save The Children on the night were Mark Kennedy Shriver, vice president and managing director of the charity’s U.S. programs, and Charles MacCormack, president and CEO.

The evening also featured Sierra Leone’s Refugee All Stars, a group of musician who lived in refugee camps after fleeing the tumultuous environment of their homeland. The band’s leader, Reuben Koroma, worked with Save the Children in the camps where he encouraged the children to express their experiences through music and dance.

The work of Save the Children has made significant inroads in countries around the world. The organization states that most children are polio free, that the number of children who can read and write has increased by almost 50 percent, and that half as many children age five die each year now compared to in 1960.

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