The traditional yearly dinner organized by RMF-USA was hosted by Mrs Nayla Moawad, Lebanese Minister of Social Affairs.

The hundreds of attendees included former and current U.S. Administration officials, Arab ambassadors and diplomats, and Lebanese-American leaders from around the country. 

Mr. Riz Khan from Al-Jazeera International was the Master of Ceremonies.

The event honored Mr Spencer Abraham, former US secretary of Energy, with the Distinguished Achievement and Community Service Award for his contributions to the US-Lebanon relations and dedicated service to the Lebanese-American community. 

The guest speakers included Dr. Robert Danin, Deputy Assistant Secretary, NEA, Department of State; Mr. Alex Azar, Deputy Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; and Mr. Anthony Shadid, Washington Post M.E. Correspondent, 2004 Pulitzer Prize Recipient for International Reporting.

A surprise speaker was Ms May Chidiac, Lebanese Anchorwoman and media personality.

The event also featured performances by Nathalie Assaf, Vocalist, Pierre Fares, Pianist and The United Kids of America Performing Group. It also included a silent auction.

The proceeds of the event will be dedicated to RMF’s recovery and rehabilitation efforts in the wake of the devastating destruction inflicted upon Lebanon. RMF had been providing relief assistance to many of the displaced who were taking shelter in schools in Beirut and and the North. It will now continue to support these groups in their villages as they try try to pick their lives back up again. It will do so by providing them with income-generation assistance that will enable them to meet their daily needs.

Secretary Abraham receiving his award from
Mrs. Moawad and RMF-USA President Abdo Saban

President Sabban, Mr. Paul Wolfowitz (President of the World Bank), Mrs. Moawad, and Mr Tony Ramia

Mrs and Mr Alex Azar (Deputy Secretary for HHS),
Mrs Moawad, Ms Majida Mourad, Mr. James Kimsey (founder of AOL) and Mrs Jeff Fletman

Mrs Moawad with former US Ambassador to Syria, Christopher Ross

Ms. May Chidiac speaking

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