CBS NEWSMAN, 'HORNED FROG' BOB SCHIEFFER ROASTED BY MEMBERS OF CONGRESS AND MEDIA MOGULS

Washington, DC (April 15th, 2004) -Wednesday night, April 14, 2004, Bob Schieffer received The American News Women's Club (ANWC) Helen Thomas Award for Excellence in Journalism. Bob was "toasted and roasted" by friends and colleagues from his 30-year career in broadcast news. The ANWC award honors Schieffer's talent, integrity, and dedication as a national newscaster who has built a career based on the highest standards of his profession.

CNN's prime anchor and senior correspondent, host of "Inside Politics" and long-time Schieffer friend Judy Woodruff emceed the gala at the new Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Southwest, DC. Bob, his wife Pat, and their two daughters celebrated the evening joined by United States Senators Joseph Biden (D-DE) and Lindsey Graham (R-SC).

At the behest of Senator Biden, Senators Blanche Lincoln (D-AR), John Breaux (D-LA), Joe Lieberman (D-CT), Mark Pryor (D-AR), Bill Nelson (D-FL), Chuck Hagel (R-NE), Tom Daschle (D-SD), Barbara Mikulski (D-MD), Hilary Clinton (D-NY), and Robert Bennett (R-UT), presented Bob and guests with a video: The Top 10 Things Bob Couldn't Tell Us on TV or In His First Book - a spoof on Schieffer's new book "This Just in: What I Couldn't Tell You on TV."

Other friends on the dais included News Analyst and Commentator Gloria Borger, PBS' Jim Lehrer, and CBS Evening News Anchor Dan Rather. United States Senator John McCain (R-AZ), CNN's Larry King, broadcast journalist Maria Shriver, Don Imus, and other friends from media and government offered light-hearted video tributes.

In the evening's biggest surprise, NBC's White House Correspondent David Gregory appeared on stage - unexpectedly - to give a dead-on impersonation of his colleague, NBC Nightly News Anchor Tom Brokaw, who had been slated to be one of the roasters. Brokaw managed an appearance after all, with his own video tribute, which followed Gregory's act.

The dinner was co-chaired by Donna Shor and Natasha D. Pinol. Special guests in attendance included Thai princess Ploy Pilin Jensen, granddaughter of the king and queen of Thailand; Philanthropist Kenneth Behring; Baronness Garnett Stackelberg; Gertrude d'Amecourt; Roberta McCain, the mother of U.S. Senator John McCain; and jewelry designer and style maven Ann Hand. Three former Chiefs of Protocol were also in the audience: Tyler Abell, Lloyd Hand, and Marion (Joe) Smoak; as well as Ambassador and Mrs. Hatem Atallah of Tunisia; Ambassador Mykhailo B. Reznik of the Ukraine; Ambassador and Mrs. Karim Kawar of Jordan; Ambassador-At-Large Carlotta Pardini of Panama; and Rima Al-Sabah, wife of the Ambassador of Kuwait. Kiplinger President Austin Kiplinger also took part in the festivities.

Schieffer, a native of Austin, Texas has covered Washington for CBS and has held all four major Washington beats: The Pentagon, The White House, The State Department and Capitol Hill.

He started his career as a reporter at the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, and was the first from a Texas newspaper to file stories from Vietnam. Schieffer joined CBS News in 1969 after his first try at the anchor desk at WBAP-TV Dallas/Forth Worth.

He is a graduate of Texas Christian University, home of the "Horned Frogs."

Schieffer has been a principal anchor for CBS since 1973, when he was named anchor of the CBS Sunday Nightly News. In 2002, the National Press Foundation awarded him its coveted Broadcaster of the Year award. Schieffer has won many broadcast news awards, including five Emmys and two Sigma Delta Chi Awards.

The ANWC raffle featured highly coveted prizes, among them a whirlwind trip to Philadelphia courtesy of Loews Hotels; a wine tasting party courtesy of Robert Cavanaugh; a Saks Fifth Avenue champagne & dessert celebration personal makeup consultation and fashion presentation; a Mandarin Oriental Hotel one weekend night stay in a deluxe room overlooking the Tidal Basin with breakfast for two; a Sports Club/LA - three month membership; a gorgeous Ann Hand green jade necklace; tickets to the Spy Museum; " Tea for Two" at the Washington Ritz-Carlton Hotel; a Dinner Cruise Gift Certificate courtesy of Dandy Cruises; a stunning Gartenhaus black fur stole, and two tickets to Cyrano de Bergerac at The Shakespeare Theatre.

Goody bags were supported by a host of local sponsors, including National Geographic, Teatro Goldon, Intelsat and Bloomingdale's. Beautiful floral arrangements from Greenworks graced each table.

About the American News Women's Club

Founded in 1932, the American News Women's Club is one of the nation's oldest press clubs. Housed in historic headquarters on Washington's Embassy Row, the ANWC includes members from the journalism, public relations, news media, and publishing professions. The ANWC Scholarship Program has helped journalism students since 1975. The annual benefit now funds scholarships to American, Gallaudet, Howard, and George Washington Universities, as well as the University of Maryland. Past scholarships have also been awarded to Northwestern University's Medill School and George Mason University. The ANWC is a national, nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization.

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