The Diplomacy Center Foundation and the United States Diplomacy Center (USDC)* hosted a panel discussion of US-German relations and a celebration of the anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall on October 25, 2018. The event was attended by 150 guests including Her Excellency Emily Haber, Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to the US, among other dignitaries, donors, constituents, corporate representatives, Foundation board directors, Department of State employees, and local college students.
The panel discussion focused on the importance of US-German relations and included Ambassador Emily Haber; Julie Fisher, deputy assistant secretary of state for Western Europe and the European Union; the Honorable Robert M. Kimmitt, former US ambassador to the Federal Republic of Germany; and Dr. Steven E. Sokol, president of the American Council on Germany.
Prior to the panel discussion, the audience was greeted initially in German by the Honorable T. Ulrich Brechbuhl, counselor of the Department of State. His remarks were followed by Honorable William C. Harrop, chair of the Diplomacy Center Foundation Board of Directors. USDC Director Mary Kane served delivered brief remarks on the museum project for the public sector.
The panel discussion took place as part of the Wunderbar Together “Celebration of American German Relations.” The “Celebration of American German Relations” is part of the Deutschlandjahr USA 2018/2019 – Year of German-American Friendship. This initiative is funded by the German Federal Foreign Office, implemented by the Goethe-Institut, and supported by The Federation of German Industries (BDI).
*On November 5, 2019, the United States Diplomacy Center formally changed its name to the National Museum of American Diplomacy.
The Diplomacy Center Foundation launched the Legacy Ministers appeal initiative on July 20, 2018. The appeal launch was held at the Founding Ambassadors Concourse in the United States Diplomacy Center* entrance pavilion. Remarks were made by special guests Deputy Secretary of State John Sullivan and Hany Hassan, FAIA, Partner of Beyer Blinder Belle Architects and Planners.
Diplomacy Center Director Mary Kane and Ambassador William C. Harrop (ret.), Chair of the Diplomacy Center Foundation Board of the Directors, briefly spoke at the beginning of the program. James T. L. Dandridge, II from the Foundation Board of Directors introduced the Legacy Ministers initiative. The program was followed by a reception upstairs in the Diplomacy Center entrance pavilion. The reception was attended by 135 individuals, including over 100 guests from the Foreign Service community.
On March 22, 2018, Ambassador Barbara Barrett (ret.) and Amb. Brenda LaGrange Johnson (ret.) co-hosted an evening reception at Sanctuary Camelback Mountain Resort in Paradise Valley, Arizona. The reception openings with remarks from Foundation Chair Amb. William C. Harrop (ret.). Amb. Harrop spoke about the Foundation’s partnership with the United States (US) Department of State to build the Diplomacy Center*, as well as the Diplomacy Center’s mission to educate the public on the work of Foreign Service Officers and others in the diplomatic community. Foundation Vice President Amb. Roman Popadiuk (ret.) further elaborated on the Foundation’s capital campaign and introduced keynote speaker Dan Quayle, 44th Vice President of the United States.
In his remarks, Vice President Quayle shared several stories from his time in office as Vice President and recounting his experiences serving on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Vice President Quayle also expressed the importance of dedicating a museum to diplomacy, so that current and future generations can be educated about the history of American diplomacy and understand the ongoing role of diplomats in our ever-changing world. Vice President Quayle said, “Since the founding of our nation, diplomacy has been a key tool in furthering our national security and our economic growth and in addressing international crises. Through its exhibits and programs, the United States Diplomacy Center will help educate future generations about the important role of American diplomacy. I am delighted to see that steps are being taken to recognize this important part of our national legacy.”
*On November 5, 2019, the United States Diplomacy Center formally changed its name to the National Museum of American Diplomacy.
Chef Wolfgang Puck hosted an intimate reception for the Diplomacy Center Foundation at his restaurant, Spago, in Beverly Hills, California, on December 5th, 2017. The reception was attended by 40 donors and supporters of the Diplomacy Center* including eight former United States (US) ambassadors, of whom five are Founding Ambassadors. Opening the reception was Ambassador Thomas E. McNamara (ret.), Foundation President, who welcomed friends, honored guests, and Wolfgang Puck for their interest and support of American diplomacy and the Diplomacy Center.
The reception followed with speeches by two distinguished supporters of American diplomacy: Governor Pete Wilson, 36th governor of California and board director of the National WWII Museum in New Orleans, Louisiana; and Amb. Thomas R. Pickering (ret.), Foundation vice-chair and former Ambassador to Russia, the United Nations, and Under Secretary of Political Affairs. Governor Wilson spoke on the similarities between the National WWII Museum and the Diplomacy Center’s goals to educate the public and young people. He stated, “It’s very important to learn the lessons that only history can teach so that new generations do not repeat mistakes of the past.”
In his remarks, Amb. Pickering provided insight into the current state of affairs at the US Department of State. He emphasized the importance of foreign affairs personnel, noting how significant staff cuts and the loss of many top tier Foreign Service Officers make building coalitions more difficult. As the United States engages in delicate challenges around the world, such as negotiating nuclear nonproliferation treaties, Amb. Pickering observed that seasoned leaders are needed. He stated further that, “The important role of American diplomats will be better understood and appreciated when the [Diplomacy Center] is open.”
* On November 5, 2019, the United States Diplomacy Center officially changed its name to the National Museum of American Diplomacy.
Ambassador Stuart A. Bernstein (ret.) and Wilma Bernstein hosted an informative reception on the Diplomacy Center Foundation’s efforts to raise funds to build the United States (US) Diplomacy Center*. The reception was held on August 5, 2017, at the Bernstein’s home in Aspen, Colorado. Ambassador R. Nicholas Burns (ret.), former US Ambassador to NATO and Under Secretary for Political Affairs, was the reception’s guest speaker.
Ambassador Burns’ comments on the need for the Diplomacy Center were met with enthusiasm and questions about the current state of diplomacy worldwide. Sharing details on the NATO response to 9-11, Ambassador Burns illustrated the importance of coalition-building among allied nations. The State Department’s ongoing activities laid the foundation for a positive response from NATO Allies to come to the United States’ defense under NATO’s Article 5. Part of NATO’s founding treaty, the principle of collective defense in Article 5 means that an attack against one Ally is considered as an attack against all Allies. The mutual support among NATO Allies, which continues to this day, is one of many legacies that the Diplomacy Center will highlight in the museum.
* On November 5, 2019, the United States Diplomacy Center formally changed its name to the National Museum of American Diplomacy.
Ambassador Mary M. Ourisman (ret.), Diplomacy Center Foundation Board of Directors, hosted a cock reception to honor the Foundation’s donors on May 31, 2017. During the event, special guest Hany Hassan, FAIA, partner at Beyer Blinder Belle Architects & Planners, gave a presentation on the design of the United States Diplomacy Center.
Ambassador Stuart A. Bernstein (ret.) and Wilma Bernstein hosted a reception for donors celebrating the groundbreaking for the United States Diplomacy Center earlier in the day.
