(New York, NY) Dr. Henry Kissinger, the 56^th Secretary of State of the United States, will be the Keynote Speaker for the 78^th Annual Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation Dinner on Thursday, October 19, 2023, at the Park Avenue Armory, 645 Park Avenue in Manhattan. Tickets to the 2023 Dinner are sold out. 

A longtime friend of the Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation and frequent member of the dais, Dr. Kissinger previously addressed the guests of the Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation Dinner as Keynote Speaker in 1974. This year the Dinner will also celebrate his 100^th birthday. Dr. Kissinger served as Secretary of State from 1973 until 1977. He also served as Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs, chaired the National Bipartisan Commission on Central America, and held key positions in the President’s Foreign Intelligence Advisory Board, the Commission on Integrated Long-Term Strategy of the National Security Council and Defense Department, and the Defense Policy Board. 

For over 75 years the Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation Dinner has brought together an audience of civic, economic, and cultural leaders from across the political spectrum for a night of non-partisan good humor and generosity. The Dinner bears the name of Alfred Emmanual Smith, four-time Governor of the State of New York and the first Catholic nominated by a major political party to run for President of the United States. Known as the “Happy Warrior” for his indomitable spirit and good cheer, it is in honor of his legacy that the Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation annually bestows the Happy Warrior Award to an accomplished individual embodying generosity and goodwill. The Happy Warrior Award recipient for the 78^th Annual Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation Dinner will be Rob Speyer, Chief Executive Officer of Tishman Speyer. 

The sponsor of the Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation Dinner is the Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation. Founded by Cardinal Francis Spellman in 1946, the Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation brings hope to children in need in the Archdiocese of New York via yearly financial support to not-for-profit organizations. The cost of the Dinner is underwritten by the Board of Directors of the Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation and 100% of the proceeds go directly to benefiting the neediest children of New York regardless of race, creed, or color. Last year, the 77^th Annual Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation Dinner raised $5.6 million. An individual ticket to attend the 2023 Dinner is $5,000. See below for a list of current grant recipients. 

REPORTERS WISHING TO COVER THE DINNER SHOULD SUBMIT A CREDENTIAL APPLICATION BY THURSDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2023.  PLEASE CONTACT [email protected] FOR FURTHER INFORMATION. DUE TO SPACE CONSTRAINTS, AN APPLICATION DOES NOT GUARANTEE A CREDENTIAL.

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CURRENT GRANT RECIPIENTS:
Calvary Hospital
Camp Veritas
Catholic Charities
The Center for Discovery
Champions for Quality Education
Covenant House
Elizabeth Seton Pediatric Center
Inner-City Scholarship Fund
The National Gianna Center
Neonatal Comfort Care Program at Columbia
Office of Youth Ministry
Saint Patrick’s Cathedral
Sisters of Life