Vaclav Havel Honored at AFoCR Awards Dinner in Washington

Washington , June 17 – American Friends of the Czech Republic held its third Awards dinner in Washington with a gala event attended by over 230. This year's honoree was former Czech President Václav Havel who received the Civil Society Vision Award . AFoCR Director Fred Malek served as Chairman for the event with Czech Ambassador to the U.S. Martin Palouš serving as co-chair.

AFoCR President Phil Kasik, Count Schwarzenberg with Civil Society Vision Award, Secretary Albright, Dana Nemcova, NED President Carl Gershman, Secretary to Vaclav Havel Jakub Hladik

The gala dinner was held at the JW Marriott Hotel on historic Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington , D.C. In addition to honoring President Havel for his contribution to restoring freedom to Czechoslovakia, the Gala celebrated the 15 th Anniversary of the Velvet Revolution, accession of the Czech Republic to the European Union and also marked 2004, the Year of Czech Music. Czech pianist Lukaš Vondracek, seventeen year old piano prodigy from the Czech Republic , began the evening with a spirited performance of works by Dvorak, Mozart, Brahms and Lizst. During the reception following the performance, attendees were treated to the music of Czech harpist Michaela Trnkova.

President Havel, unable to travel to the US because of his health, accepted the award and addressed the guests by video from Prague . Prince Karl Schwarzenberg who served as a member of President Havel's Consulting Board, head of the President's Office at Prague Castle , and later Chancellor accepted the Award on behalf of President Havel. Ambassador Martin Palouš was of great help in arranging for Prince Schwarzenberg's visit.

Moving tributes were paid to President Havel by Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge , former Secretary of State Madeline Albright, Carl Gershman , President of National Endowment for Democracy, and Dana Nemcova, human rights advocate, signer of Charter 77 and a leader in the Velvet Revolution.

AFoCR Vice-President Mike Rokos, Ambassador Cabaniss, Secretary Tom Ridge, AFoCR Treasurer Peter Rafaeli

Honored guests for the evening included US Ambassador to the Czech Republic William J. Cabaniss as well as former US Ambassador Craig Stapleton. Rounding out the honored guests of the evening were several Ambassadors and representatives of other EU nations including Austria , Hungary , Poland , Slovakia , Ireland and others.

Previous recipients of the prestigious AFoCR Civil Society Vision Award have been former Secretary of State Madeline Albright (2000), Hank Greenberg (CEO of American International Group), Maurice Wolfensohn (President of the World Bank) and Fred Malek (corporate leader and advisor to Presidents) each of whom received the award in 2002.

To commemorate Dvorak's death in 1904 and his accomplishments, the Czech government proclaimed 2004 to be the “Year of Czech Music.” Dvorak was famous for helping to define American music as well as Czech music. He composed and taught in both the US and in the Czech Lands and is revered around the world. The gala concert by Lukaš Vondracek celebrated Dvorak and his music.

Ambassador Palous, Pianist Lukas Vondracek, Secretary Albright