by Joseph Zwilling and Mercedes Anderson

Ambassador Nikki R. Haley, the United States Permanent Representative to the United Nations, to Serve as Speaker for the 73rd Annual Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation Dinner
October 3, 2018 (NEW YORK) —Ambassador Nikki R. Haley, the United States Permanent Representative to the United Nations, will be the speaker at the 73rd annual Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation Dinner on Thursday, October 18, 2018 in the Grand Ballroom of New York’s Hilton Hotel Midtown.

Ambassador Haley will share the dais with Timothy Cardinal Dolan, Archbishop of New York, and deliver the evening’s address in the spirit of collegiality and good-humor that has become the hallmark of the annual fundraising gala. In keeping with the longstanding tradition of the Foundation’s signature event, the evening offers Ambassador Haley the opportunity to join some of the country’s most prominent civic, business, and religious leaders to support charities that serve New York’s neediest children.  

As the United States Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Haley is one of the most prominent voices in the areas of international politics and conflict resolution today. She is an advocate for reforms that would bring greater transparency, efficiency, and accountability to UN peacekeeping missions around the world; and a champion for human rights. During her tenure as President of the UN Security Council in April 2017, Ambassador Haley hosted the first session devoted entirely to the issue of human rights. Ambassador Haley’s distinguished career is also marked by outstanding achievements in the area of state politics, where, as the first woman to be elected Governor of South Carolina in 2010, she introduced the state’s most comprehensive education reform, bringing greater funding and access to technology to the state’s most underserved communities. As Governor, she also oversaw a 15 year record low in unemployment, adding 85,000 jobs across the state’s 46 counties. In 2016, then Governor Haley, was invited to join the President’s cabinet .

The Dinner will also feature three-time Grammy nominated and two-time New York Times best-selling author, Jim Gaffigan as the evening’s Master of Ceremonies.

The Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation Dinner honors a cause that transcends the polarizing political rhetoric of the day and exemplifies the vision of Gov. Alfred E. Smith who was known as “The Happy Warrior” for his ability to maintain his positive outlook even as he tackled the pressing social issues of his day. Each year the Foundation carries on the tradition of the “Happy Warrior” by recognizing an individual who exemplifies the character and leadership of Governor Alfred E. Smith. On this, the 90th anniversary of Gov. Alfred E. Smith’s historic run as the first Catholic nominee for the presidency, the 2018 Happy Warrior Award recipient will be Mr. Lowell C. Adam, chairman and former chief executive officer of Verizon Communications. 

Ambassador Haley joins an illustrious list of political dignitaries, cultural leaders, and presidential candidates who have served as speakers, including John F. Kennedy, Winston Churchill, Dwight D. Eisenhower, Lee A. Iacocca, Ronald Reagan, Barack Obama, Tony Blair, Colin Powell, Tim Russert, Michael Bloomberg, and many more.   Last year’s speaker was House Speaker Paul Ryan

The Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation has raised hundreds of millions in support of charities and educational institutions devoted to serving the children of New York who are most in need.

# # #

EDITORS’ NOTE:

CREDENTIALS ISSUED BY THE ALFRED E. SMITH MEMORIAL FOUNDATION WILL BE REQUIRED FOR JOURNALISTS WISHING TO COVER THE DINNER. TO APPLY FOR YOUR CREDENTIAL KINDLY SUBMIT YOUR REQUEST BY EMAIL TO: [email protected] OR BY RESPONDING TO THIS EMAIL NO LATER THAN MONDAY, OCTOBER 15

PLEASE BE ADVISED THAT SPACE IS LIMITED AND AN APPLICATION FOR A CREDENTIAL DOES NOT NECESSARILY GUARANTEE ONE WILL BE PROVIDED.