Rend Al-Rahim
Executive Director, Iraq Foundation

Opening Address
2007 Fundraising Event

Ladies and gentlemen, dear friends, good evening, and welcome to the Iraq Foundation’s 2 nd fundraiser for children’s charities in Iraq: “Helping Iraq’s Children…every step of the way”. Thank you all for being here with us and showing that you care. I would like to give a special welcome to Congresswoman Kay Granger, Minister Nasreen Barwari, our distinguished speakers, and I would like to recognize Ambassador Sameer Sumaidaei, ambassador of Iraq to the US , Ambassador David Newton, Ambassador Steven Steiner . At some point during he evening we hope to be joined by Ms Samira Al-Mousawi Member of Parliament and chairperson of the parliamentary Committee for Women, Children and Families. , and the visiting Iraqi government women delegation to the US, Ms. Samira Al-Mousawi Member of Iraqi Parliament, Ms. Hala Saleem Deputy Minister of Interior, and Ms. Sahar Khalil Director of Governmental Budget Department Ministry of Finance.

It is an honor and a privilege for the Iraq Foundation to be part of this worthy humanitarian cause. In Iraq, the children have become the primary casualties of violence, and yet they are the future. The scene of orphans, amputees and those with chronic disabilities is becoming ordinary commonplace in Iraq. They Children are the most vulnerable members of society and they need our help.

Last year, with your help, the Iraq Foundation was able to assist provide 6 orphanages and homes for disabled children with essential needs. A little later in the evening, ( I if technology doesn’t fail us ), you will be able to see some of the outcomes of our aid work last year. Importantly, the success of last year’s event and the vital help we were able to give to the children in Iraq, encouraged us to repeat the fundraiser this year, and we are resolved to provide even more assistance and care than before.

I would like to thank all of you for your participation in this event, and particularly to our guest speakers who graciously agreed to stand with us at this important charitable function . , my Our sincere thanks to the corporations, institutions and individuals who made essential gifts donated generously, to the fundraiser, and to the local businesses for the ir generous gifts which make our first charity raffle possible. Finally, I would like to thank my colleagues at the Iraq Foundation who have worked tirelessly to make this event a success ; they all deserve recognition and credit, but I would like to specifically mention Selwa Gailani Kenna , who master minded the whole event. Most important, I wish to extend gratitude to our staff specifically those in Iraq (my heroes) for their endurance, perseverance and courage in the face of enormous dangers and difficulties. Without their efforts, we wouldn’t be able to get things done.

Our speakers tonight will be Congresswoman Kay Granger and Ms. Nasreen Barwari. We regret that ABC anchor Dan Harris is unable to join us: he had to go to Afghanistan at the last minute

Please join me in welcoming our first speaker, Congresswoman Kay Granger, guest speakers and enjoy the evening.

Thank you!