International Committee Honors Weisgal Tonight; Johnson Lauzs His Vision

Eighteen countries, through their outstanding scientists and lay leaders, represented in an International Committee of more than 460 statesmen, scientists, artists, writers, educators, musicians, religious, labor and business spokesmen, are sponsoring a dinner tomorrow at the Hotel Americana here to mark the 20th Anniversary of the Weizmann Institute of Science of Rehovoth, Israel, and to honor its chairman, Meyer W. Weisgal as its master builder.

For 25 years the closest associate of the late Dr. Chaim Weizmann, for whom the Institute is named, and the guardian of his spiritual legacy since his death in 1952, Mr. Weisgal will receive the tribute of the international community in recognition of a notable career of 50 years devoted to the renascence of the Jewish people, the last 20 as the builder of the Weizmann Institute of Science. More than 1,500 persons will attend tonight’s dinner, among them world-renowned scientists, members of the diplomatic corps, members of the Israel Cabinet and of the American and European communities. They will include 14 Hobel Laureates.

Leading off the international accolade to Mr. Weisgal, whose 70th birthday coincides with the 20th Anniversary of the Institute, is President Lyndon B. Johnson. In a letter, addressed to Mr. Weisgal, made public today, President Johnson, said: “Seventy years is both a long and short period of time. It is long when it represents, as your birthday does, three score years and ten of dedication to the hundreds of projects that you have brought to successful fruition in the interests of both the United States and Israel. It is short in terms of the spirit and vision which you have always demonstrated and which characterizes your every effort.”