for distinguished business leadership and ann soefy for distinguished artistic leadership. >> and our award dees are awarded by a high level and global audience. we have nearly 800 guests from over 62 countries including the former president of poland and the former prime ministers of pakistan and spain, 47 ambassadors to the united states, 22 chief executives of global companies and countless members of the u.s./europe governmen governments. welcome to you all. >> and also to your mom and dad. >> and my parents also are here. please point to my parents. i'm going to find you. >> it's now my great pleasure to introduce our distinguished dinner cochairs who are with us tonight and we ask you hold your applause to the end. and co-chairs please stand so we can recognize your amazing contributions. >> robert abernathy, victor choo, thomas m. culligan, thomas enders, steve boyden gray, baja hariry, frank hahn, h. johnson, george lund, alexander mu chef, steven a. shoresman, s.d.shubula, rob spire, and michael f. walsh. [ applause ] >> now to begin this evening, our old friend, not old, but