Home
Search transcripts:    Advanced Search
Notable New     Yorkers
Select     Notable New Yorker

Mary LaskerMary Lasker
Photo Gallery
Transcript

Part:         Session:         Page of 1143

I also urged that special invitations be sent to oustanding writers, painters, musicians, poets, sculptors, historians, architects, actors, actresses, writers, and journalists, leading scientists and doctors, leading industrialists and publishers, leading politicians of course. Actually, the White House has arranged to give a special dinner in the State Department for the winners of the President's Medal of Freedom, which had been given out for two years -- once by President Kennedy and once by President Johnson. This covers people from Andrew Wyatt to Paul White and a great many other people who are leading figures in our society. Mr. Richard Adler is doing an III Inauguration gala for them, and Fontaine and Nureyev are going to come from England to dance. The Mexican Ballet is going to come, the Follorica.

Q:

Is this to be held in Constitution Hall?

Lasker:

No, this is going to be in the Armory. It's all going to be marvellous decorated. Carol Channing is coming, to be the mistress of ceremonies; Alfred Hitchcook; Barbara Streisand will sing. I'll give you a complete list of the entertainers next time we meet, because I think it's interesting to know who performed. Richard Adler has done all this himself, at the request of the White House.

Mr. Abe Fortas, who is a great friend of the President, and a leading lawyer, was asked to be the chairman of





© 2006 Columbia University Libraries | Oral History Research Office | Rights and Permissions | Help