At the 2009 Gala Dinner on December 3, the National Committee honored ITT Corporation and Google Inc. at the Mandarin Oriental in New York City.

To view pictures click here [1]. For speeches by the honorees and keynote speaker, click on Gala 2009 Speeches to the right on this page.

ITT Corporation was recognized for deploying its technology to address water distress following the 2008 Sichuan earthquake, and for its start-up efforts in China under ITT Watermark, a program to provide safe water solutions – new wells, improved sanitation facilities and hygiene education – to schools in water-stressed regions.

Google Inc. was recognized for opening up new horizons for millions of Chinese Internet users through its English and Chinese search engines, giving them access to new technologies and information, for complying locally while operating globally and engaging in a transparent manner in China.

Click on the photos below to view captions.

More than 300 people, including business leaders, public officials and senior Chinese diplomats, gathered to take note of some of the significant milestones in Sino-American relations. It was also an occasion for The Honorable Zhou Wenzhong, China's ambassador to the United States, to address the current status of this important bilateral relationship.

The annual Gala provides a significant source of support for the National Committee, a non-partisan organization that seeks to promote better understanding between China and the United States by creating opportunities for informed discussions regarding issues of vital importance.

Click here [2] to see a slideshow of more pictures from the 2009 Gala.

2009 GALA SPONSORS
Co-Chairs Click to connect
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Leaders Click to connect
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Benefactors
Patrons Dorsey & Whitney LLP Gerald Abell Foundation Hills & Company Intel Corporation Jones Day Levcor International Johnson & Johnson PepsiCo Tishman Speyer 2009 GALA DINNER COMMITTEE Honorary Co-Chairs The Honorable George H.W. Bush The Honorable James Earl Carter, Jr. Honorary Vice Chairs
The Honorable Madeleine K. Albright The Honorable Michael H. Armacost The Honorable James A. Baker, III The Honorable W. Michael Blumenthal The Honorable David L. Boren The Honorable Zbigniew Brzezinski Mrs. Barbara Bush The Honorable Warren Christopher Mr. David R. Gergen The Honorable Alexander M. Haig, Jr. The Honorable Lee H. Hamilton The Honorable Carla A. Hills The Honorable Michael Kantor The Honorable Thomas H. Kean The Honorable Henry A. Kissinger The Honorable James R. Lilley Mr. I. M. Pei The Honorable William J. Perry General Colin L. Powell The Honorable Joseph W. Prueher The Honorable Clark T. Randt, Jr. The Honorable J. Stapleton Roy The Honorable Matt Salmon The Honorable James R. Sasser Professor Robert Scalapino General Brent Scowcroft The Honorable George P. Shultz Dr. Ezra Vogel Mr. Paul A. Volcker The Honorable John C. Whitehead

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