Diary Prequel Package — page 161

watch; good guy; physician trained at U of Michigan and UCSF. Usual cast of WH people, i.e. Fran Townsend, etc. Sept. 27 - 28, 2007 - Glorious 2 days in NYC for the Lasker Awards. Dinner on night of Sept. 27 at La Grenouille (Mary Lasker's favorite restaurant). Lasker Lunch at Pierre Hotel on Sept. 28. Ralph Steinman received Basic Science Lasker; Alan Carpentier and Albert Starr (Starr-Edwards heart valve) received the Clinical Lasker; and I received the Public Service Lasker. On Friday, Sept. 28, the Washington Post did a very large piece on me called "The Honored Doctor" talking about the Lasker, the National Medal of Science, the Kober Medal and other honors. I have received literally several hundred letters and e-mails and greeting in person related to the Lasker and the Post article. With me in NYC were Chris, Ali and Jenny. Megan had to stay on Chicago with "City Year". Oct. 4 - 5, 2007 - Went to Aspen for the World Biomedical Forum. Gave 4 to 5 talks on AIDS, Pandemic Flu, Emerging infections, etc. Again, usual cast of notables there. Very nice time. Weather in Aspen and DC has been spectacular for past couple of weeks. Sunny, Warm and no rain. Oct. 11, 2007 - Featured speaker at a Global Health Symposium at the Italian Embassy on Whitehaven Street in DC. Spoke on "HIV/AIDS in 2007: Much Accomplished, Much To Do". Much congratulatory activity by the Italians related to the Lasker and the Post article. Oct. 12, 2007 - Dinner at the Café Milano in association with the national Italian American Foundation (NIAF) dinner the following night (Oct. 13). Franco Luschese found me a prime seat. The whole restaurant was for the NIAF dinner. I sat next to Jerry Vale. So many people who I knew from other such meetings were there: Yogi Berra, Tony LoBianco, Dion (and the Belmonts), Nancy Pelosi, etc. etc. Great meal; nice time. Oct. 13, 2007 - Took Ali to the Annual NIAF Gala at the Hilton. She loved it since she wanted to meet Nancy Pelosi and Ellen Pompeio (star of TV's Grey's Anatomy). She got to meet and take picture of both. Usual glitterati were there: Antonin Scalia and Sam Alito; Nancy Pelosi; Yogi Berra; Dion; Jerry Vale; George Tenet (I wanted to connect with him, but we did not cross each other); Connie Stevens; Pater Pace; etc. etc. Oct. 16-17, 2007 - Went to Seattle to participate (Panel) in the Bill and Melinda Gates Malaria Forum at the Sheraton Hotel at Union and 6th Streets in Downtown Seattle. Mild and on and off rain. Good meeting. Just starting to see the galvanizing of interest and enthusiasm and finally even considering the possibility of eliminating and eradicating malaria. Melinda and Bill gave an inspiring speech at 9:00 AM on Oct. 17. All the malaria people were very pleased that I was there to show the "flag". I have become increasingly interested and supportive of malaria including my long-term support of Stephen Hoffman (Sanaria) and his irradiated sporozoite vaccine. Had a unique evening at dinner at the home of Bill and Melinda Gates on Oct. 16, 2007. It was obviously a spectacular home, but I did not get the tour since while Melinda was giving the other guests a tour, Bill wanted a private conversation with me. He was