i thank the tribune publishing bureau for their support especially our bureau chief, david lauter, and my white house colleague, kathleen hennessey. i thank visionary editors of the los angeles times and chicago tribune. all of us are fortunate to work for wise corporate leaders. finally, my family visiting from alabama and tennessee. i say hello to my dad who is watching this on fox news. [laughter] and my family right here in washington, d.c. cody, mandy, paul. [applause] let me introduce our next speaker, cecily strong. [applause] like the president and the first lady, she is from chicago. she came through second city comedy, and is now one of the most recognized members of the saturday night live cast. she is no stranger to political journalism. her father was an ap bureau chief in the illinois statehouse. i'm sure that tonight, he is a proud father. bill, welcome. [applause] at last year's dinner, steve selma drew attention to the increasing diversity of the white house press corps. tonight, we strike a blow for diversity and political commentary. i don't know why, but women almos