Thursday, December 14, 2006

Big White House Malaria Summit sponsored by Malaria No More and Introduced by Laura Bush with the POTUS giving Keynote Lecture. Held as ½ day meeting at the National Geographic Society Headquarters on 17th Street in DC. I had helped Gary Edson who was consulting for Malaria No More in the scientific background for the meeting which was mostly talks by African Health Ministers, Melinda Gates, Faith-Based people (Rick Warren, etc.), Paul Wolfowitz, Margaret Chan (WHO DG). I had nice chats with each of these. Purpose was to increase awareness of malaria and how with little money we can dramatically reduce malaria, particularly in Africa. Spoke of results in Africa of the President’s Malaria Initiative (PMI) that over the past 2 years with $1.2 Billion for bed nets, indoor spraying with insecticides, and ACT (Artemisinincombination therapy) malaria has been markedly decreased in certain countries. MC was Isaiah Washington of “Grey’s Anatomy” TV show. I met and interacted with the usual cast. Also included Sens. Pat Leahy, Bill Frist, etc. VP Cheney’s Annual Christmas Party. Chris did not come since she was setting up for the reception following the Annual Lessons and Carols at the Cathedral (I went later). Usual festivities with many people there. Spent much time talking to Carol Kuntz. Also, Scooter Libby was there awaiting start of his trial for providing false information to the Special Investigator (Fitzgerald) about the Joe Wilson/Valerie Plame issue. Spoke more with Isaiah Washington.