Haley, Owens inspire record-setting crowd at WPC's 2019 Annual Dinner in Bellevue
Standing ovations were in abundant supply at Washington Policy Center’s 2019 Annual dinner in Bellevue last weekend. Unprecedented enthusiasm greeted ambassador Nikki Haley, who gave her presentation in a Q & A format with KVI radio host John Carlson. She talked about her time at the United Nations, her promise to “take names” of countries receiving U.S. aid but voting against our interests, and other U.S. foreign policy challenges including trade issues with China and China’s response to Hong Kong protestors.
The night’s second keynote speaker was new media phenomenon Candace Owens, founder of the “Blexit” movement, which challenges those who believe race or ethnicity should define one’s way of thinking. Owens related how her experience as a nanny prepared her for the college protests she faces today in that she’s still telling children that they need to behave, and they may not have everything they want just because they’re throwing a fit. Owens antidote to tactics used to intimidate her into being silent was simple – refuse to give in.
Washington Policy Center’s Champion of Freedom award was given to Admiral Tom Hayward, Chief of Naval Operations (1978-1982), whose work on behalf of American interests, educational programs, and landmine removal is made all the more remarkable by the fact it was all completed by one man. A tribute video of the Admiral’s life will soon be available on Washington Policy Center’s YouTube channel.
The 2019 Annual Dinner broke attendance and fundraising records, with 1200 attendees in the main ballroom, an additional 350 in the Young Professionals’ ballroom down the hall, and more than $1.3 million raised to continue WPC’s work.
The evening concluded with an afterparty of live music and celebration.
Photographs and video of our Bellevue Annual Dinner will soon be available on WPC’s social media channels. WPC’s sold-out Eastern Washington Annual Dinner featuring former Secretary of Defense, General James Mattis and former Governor of New Jersey Chris Christie, takes place October 24th in Spokane.
