please join me in thanking our founding president barbie weinberg.plause] chairman and are tied mike stein --emerti mike stein. [applause] and are a permit -- and our current chairman of the board, michael berkowitz. [applause] i would also like to recognize the more than one of the 30 members of the institute's board of trustees. they traveled from every corner of our nation to be here today. one of the finest aspects of this organization is that when these women and men enter a room as a trustee of the institute, they cease to be republicans or democrats. they all understand they are here to advance the national interest above party or politics. it is for that reason that we are here today welcoming a representative of the fifth president who has been in the white house since we put out power shingle 25 years ago. we believe that commitment to non partisanship is a principal that like our research stands the test of time. ladies and gentlemen, these are not simple time for america in the broader middle east. the litany of challenges is well known.

institute for near east policy the respected institution it is todayespecially past presidents barbi weinberg, fred lafer, michael stein and your chairman howard berkowitz. i also want to thank your distinguished trustees and board of advisorswhich has one empty chair tonight because of the recent loss of one of your longtime advisorsa public servanta true warrior- diplomatand one of my predecessors as supreme allied commander europe. tonight, we remember general and secretary of state alexander haig. [applause] for a quarter-centurythrough five different administrationsthis institute has provided an invaluable service, to policymakers and the american people. instead of partisanship, you've given us scholarship. instead of simply recycling old arguments, you've given us fresh and objective analysis. so i want to thank rob and your entire staffand 25 years of scholars and fellowsfor your insights and your contributions. i've seen it myself. you continue for another 25 years, and 25 years beyond that. [applause] a few years ago, i served as special envoy for middle east regional security. our

policy the respected institution that it is today, a vital institution, especially past presidents barbi weinberg, fred lafer, michael stein and your chairman howard berkowitz. i also want to thank the distinguished trustees, board of advisors, which has one empty chair tonight because of the recent loss of one of your longtime advisors, a public servant, a true warrior statesman, diplomat, and one of my predecessors as supreme allied commander of europe. tonight, we all remember general and former secretary of state alexander haig. [applause] >> for a quarter-century through five different administrations, this institute has provided an invaluable service to policymakers and to the american people. instead of partisanship you've given us scholarship. instead of simply recycling old arguments, you've given us fresh and objective analysis. so i want to thank rob and your entire staff, and 25 years of scholars and fellows, for your insights and your contributions. may you continue for another 25 years, and 25 years beyond that. thank you. [applause] >> and i've seen this firsthand myself. as was me