May 10, 2006
Mrs. Laura Bush and Queen
Rania Attend Mosaic Foundation 9th Benefit Gala
WASHINGTON, May 10 /U.S. Newswire/ -- Mrs. Laura Bush and Queen Rania of Jordan
joined officials from around the world at the Mosaic Foundation's Ninth Annual
Benefit Gala "Education: A Two Way Street" to benefit Sesame Workshop last night
at the National Building Museum.
Mrs. Laura Bush said: "When the Mosaic Foundation
was established in 1998, these ambassadors' wives saw their time in the United
States as an opportunity not only to help their spouses in their important work,
but also to help others around the world. President Bush and I thank you for
your dedication and your service, and we especially appreciate your commitment
to strengthen the ties between America and the peoples of the Arab world."
Mrs. Luma Kawar of Jordan, Gala Chair, elaborated on the theme of the evening:
"The free-flow exchange of goods and ideas depends on trust. The foundation of
trust is understanding which can only be attained through communication. Good
communication is where differences are explored and similarities are
celebrated."
In her remarks, Queen Rania praised the
collaboration between Mosaic Foundation and Sesame Workshop, known as the Sesame
Mosaic project, calling it a "wonderful passport to understanding, for the Arab
and American children alike" and a "colorful project" that "can serve as a
cultural embassy -- communicating the vibrant heritage and diversity of the Arab
world."
Mosaic Chairman Mrs. Nermin Fahmy of Egypt talked about the organization's 10th
anniversary next year and its dream of building the Mosaic Arab Cultural Center
in the nation's capitol. Mrs. Rim Abboud of Lebanon, Mosaic's Vice President,
introduced Mr. Zade Dirani, Jordanian pianist, composer and founder of the
International Musicians Assembly for their world deput performance which
received a standing ovation. Sesame Street's Elmo and his Arab muppet friend,
Khohka, closed the evening's program to the amusement of more than 700 guests
and diplomatic officials.
Guests included U.S. Senator Bill Frist, U.S. Senator Ted Stevens, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Carlos M. Gutierrez, and HUD Secretary Alphonso Jackson; media personality John McLaughlin and Benefit Committee Co-Chairs Chris and Kathleen Matthews.