President Reagan has accepted the invitation of Israel President Chaim Herzog to act as honorary chairman of the David Ben Gurion Centennial Committee of the United States, it was announced here by the Centennial Committee. Reagan’s participation in the year-long celebration of the birth of Israel’s first Premier acknowledges the special relationship between the United States and Israel, the Committee said.
“The Ben Gurion Centennial represents a unique event for Americans,” said Israel’s Ambassador Meir Rosenne, who is also the Committee’s co-chairman. “It is one of those rare moments when Americans can celebrate the birth of a foreign hero — a statesman of the 20th century whose impact on American and world history ranks with that of Churchill and Gandhi.”
The Centennial Committee will coordinate educational and cultural activities throughout the United States, from October, 1986, the anniversary of Ben Gurion’s birth, until May 4, 1987, the 40th anniversary of Israel’s independence, culminating with a gala celebration at the Kennedy Center in Washington in May, 1987.
The Committee is represented worldwide by Herzog. In the U.S., it is chaired by Jack Spitzer, honorary president of B’nai B’rith International, and co-chaired by Rosenne. Dr. Benjamin Hirsch, an educator, clergyman and administrator, is the Committee’s executive director.
There will be no Daily News Bulletins dated April 24 and 25 because of the Passover holiday. Best wishes for a happy and healthy Pesach.
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