The Atlantic Council of the United States celebrated its 2008 Awards Dinner, honoring former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, News Corporation Chairman and CEO Rupert Murdoch, and Admiral Michael Mullen, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff for Distinguished International, Business and Military Leadership respectively, on Monday, April 21st, at the Ritz Carlton in Washington D.C. The Council also presented its first ever Award for Distinguished Artistic Leadership to Russian piano virtuoso Evgeny Kissin.

“The Atlantic Council of the United States is the cornerstone of the trans-Atlantic alliance - forging a solid partnership between the peoples of Europe and the United States and we honor four trailblazing individuals who have exemplified the leadership values we promote,” said Jose Maria Aznar, former Prime Minister of Spain and Atlantic Council International Advisory Board (IAB) member, who will also introduce Tony Blair at the dinner.

“The Council has been at the forefront of the trans-Atlantic alliance by fostering unity and close relations between the United States and its European members and we are honored by the presence of these top individuals who have contributed to strengthening our partnership. They will receive distinguished leadership awards that highlight four pillars of the alliance – the policy maker, the business leader, the military commander and the great artist,” adds Atlantic Council President and CEO Fred Kempe.

The evening also featured remarks by former Secretaries of State Colin Powell and Henry Kissinger, former National Security Advisor and IAB Chairman Brent Scowcroft, and former President of Poland Aleksander Kwasniewski.

Alexis Glick, VP and Anchor of Fox Business News, emceed the event.

Prime Minister Blair's Remarks

Mr. Murdoch's Remarks

Admiral Mullen's Remarks

Press Conference: Blair, Murdoch, and Mullen

2008 Awards Dinner Sponsors

For questions about the Annual Awards Dinner please email Anna Eliasson Schamis, Vice President, Development and External Relations, at  aeliasson@acus.org.