Thursday, May 24, 2007

Went to Sons of Italy Annual NELA (National Education Leadership Awards) dinner at the Washington Grand Hyatt Hotel on 10th and H Streets. I took Megan with me and she really enjoyed it. Sitting at our table was Nancy Pelosi and Rosa DeLauro. Megan got to meet and speak with them as well as Hilary Clinton, Geraldine Ferraro, Italian Ambassador Castellenata among others. Megan was amazed as Sen. Clinton was on her way out after having presented Geraldine Ferraro with an Award and we thought that we would not have the opportunity to introduce her to Megan. Hilary walked past me, caught my eye and gave a big smile, and threw her arms around me in greeting. Megan could not believe it. I introduced Megan and Clinton asked about her school and her plans for next year. May 24 – June 17, 2007 – Extremely busy: Sometime since last entry (May 24) I was informed by Jack Marberger (Science Advisor to the POTUS) that I would be receiving the National Medal of Science in a White House ceremony in July. I am humbled. Also, Scooter Libby convicted by seemingly vengeful and self-absorbed Judge Reggie Walton and sentenced to 30 months – amazingly excessive! Also, Walton published all of the letters written on Scooter’s behalf including mine. Other letter writers were Paul Wolfowitz, Donald Rumsfeld, General Pace, Henry Kissinger, etc. Science magazine (Jon Cohen) wrote a small piece about my writing a letter. He originally thought that I would be in trouble since I did it on Government Stationary. Sorry John – I got clearance by OGC – Ethics Division since the CFR says that I can do this. Typical Jon, good person that he is, he is still trying to get me on something – the instincts of a reporter!