Contact: Gretchen Roufs, 210-601-4572, Gretchen@GretchenRoufs.com or Laura Villarreal, laura@wacofsa.org, 210-643-9537.
Photos: Liasson and Hardberger photos are attached.
Mara Liasson to Keynote 2019 World Affairs Council Dinner
Event will feature journalist/political pundit Liasson and honor former mayor Phil Hardberger
SAN ANTONIO (February 15, 2019) – Mara Liasson, national political correspondent for NPR and FOX News Channel contributor/News Sunday panelist, will talk about the global state of politics and where the country is heading as the keynoter for the World Affairs Council of San Antonio’s 2019 International Citizen of the Year Award Dinner on Thursday, February 21.
The Honorable Phil Hardberger, former mayor of San Antonio, will be honored as this year’s International Citizen of the Year. City Manager Sheryl Sculley will introduce Hardberger. Mayor Ron Nirenberg will provide special remarks on behalf of the City.
The dinner supports the World Affairs Council of San Antonio in its mission to promote public understanding of world affairs, and to help the community and future leaders participate as global citizens. This is the 35th year the organization has hosted the event. More than 650 people are expected to attend the event, which begins at 6:00 p.m. at the Witte Museum.
Hardberger served as San Antonio mayor from 2005 to 2009. His contributions to San Antonio are plentiful, as are his international endeavors and commendations, including assignments in 11 countries while he was with the Peace Corps. Hardberger also received a National Order of Merit recognition from France for recreating the Charles Lindbergh flight from New York To Paris, flying solo in a single engine plane in 1977 on the 50th anniversary of Lindbergh’s flight. Hardberger served as a captain and flew B-47s in the U.S. Air Force in the 1950s.
Liasson covers politics and policy from Washington, DC, focusing on the White House and Congress, and reports on political trends beyond the Beltway. She provides key coverage of the candidates and issues in both presidential and congressional races. Her reports can be heard regularly on NPR’s Morning Edition and All Things Considered. Prior to her current assignment, Liasson served as NPR’s White House correspondent for all eight years of the Clinton administration. From 1989 to 1992 she was NPR’s congressional correspondent.
For more information on the International Citizen of the Year Award Dinner, or the World Affairs Council of San Antonio, contact Laura Villarreal, development director, at (210) 308-9494, send an email to laura@wacofsa.org, or visit https://www.wacofsa.org/ic19-award-dinner/.
About the World Affairs Council of San Antonio
Founded in 1982, the World Affairs Council of San Antonio’s mission is to promote public understanding of world affairs and United States foreign policy, and to enhance the ability of the community and future leaders to participate as global citizens. The Council accomplishes its mission by presenting programs such as the Distinguished Speaker Series, Global Issues Luncheons, Diplomat Salons, the Marshall Memorial Fellows, Young Professional events, and youth engagement outreach. A not-for-profit and non-partisan organization, it is a member of the World Affairs Councils of America. Visit www.wacofsa.org and follow the World Affairs Council of San Antonio at www.facebook.com/wacofsa for the latest information. Contact the World Affairs Council at 816 Camaron Street, Suite 2.15, San Antonio, TX, 78212. Telephone 210-308-9494. Email interim executive director, Tim Farrell at tim@wacofsa.org.