Diary Prequel Package — page 312

Nelson Michael (my old friend) was receiving one of the awards and I had been part of the video that was shown at the event that honored him. Nice affair. Inspiring keynote address by Admiral William H. McRaven, Commander of United States Special Operations Command (the group - Seal Team 6 that got Osama bin Laden). Other awardees besides Nelson were USAF Lt. Col. Raymond Fang - Trauma surgeon with multiple tours in Iraq and Afghanistan. He spoke by video since he is currently deployed in Afghanistan. Also Hospital Corpsman 1st Class Darrel L. Enos - 3rd Marine Special Operations Battalion who received it posthumously - killed in action. Entire evening very moving. Special awards to Marine Staff Sergeant Johnny Joseph (Joey) Jones who got his legs blown off while trying to dismantle and IED in Helmand Province, Afghanistan. I was in tears after his speech. Also talks by Gen. Jack Keane (USA- retired), Gen. James Amos (USMC). Special Award to Gen Joseph F. Dunford (USMC), Commander of Forces in Afghanistan who spoke in video from Afghanistan. General Amos introduced him. Gen. James Peake, Former US Army Surgeon General and currently Sec. of Department of Veteran Affairs received a special award. He fought as a combat platoon leader in Viet Nam and was highly decorated with Silver Star, Bronze Star with V device and Purple Heart. After war, went to Cornell Medical School, became a cardiac surgeon - quite a guy. I have known him for years. Mistress of Ceremonies was Jennifer Griffin of FOX News Channel. When she called out "notables" in the audience, she mentioned my name. I was embarrassed to be called out together with General McRaven, Amos, Peake and others. The evening made me proud to be an American. May 6, 2013 - H7N9 still smoldering, but with the closing of some of the open bird markets in China, the pace of new cases has slowed. 130 cases and 31 deaths total. HHS is now allowing me to do press on this without hassle. Francis Collins meeting with Bill Corr has apparently worked (see above). Went to cocktail reception/book signing for Paul Farmer's new book - "To Repair the World" at home of Greg and Derry Craig on 3155 Highland Place, N.W.; also cosponsored by Tim Broas. Paul, as usual, was very generous in his remarks about my accomplishments in being the architect of PEPFAR and the influence that I had on his career. Several notables there including Kathleen Matthews and Paul Wolfowitz. Had good conversation with Paul about how we worked together when he was Deputy Secretary of Defense. Paul gave 2 signed books to me - one for Chris and me and one for Jenny. Also, I spoke with Paul about getting one of his acolytes to come work for me as my assistant at NIAID. (Turns out I contacted one Hillary Marston who will be joining me in August - see below)) May 7, 2013 - Went to the Capitol with Francis Collins to meet with the House Majority Whip - Congressman Kevin McCarthy (R-CA). Kevin is very interested in the problem of Valley Fever (Coccicioidomycosis) in his district of Bakersfield. We discussed having a workshop and partnering with CDC in doing clinical trials of new drugs such as Nippo Z and developing a vaccine. Good idea to cultivate relationship with McCarthy, given his position.