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.