Please do something for me right now, while you are thinking about it. Don’t hesitate! Do it right away!
Pull out your appointment book and find Thursday, October 1. Write “Attend Heartland Institute’s 14’th Anniversary Benefit, Palmer House, Chicago, 5:30 p.m.” If any competing activities are planned for that evening, get on the phone and reschedule them. Be polite but firm.
Next, pull out your checkbook and write a check, payable to The Heartland Institute, for at least two tickets (2 x $75 = $150). Better yet, pony up $1,250 for a Reserved Table of ten so you get preferred seating and can invite friends and coworkers to join you at your table.
Why should you do this? To (badly) paraphrase Shakespeare, “let me count the reasons.”
1 Ward Connerly
This year’s keynote speaker is Ward Connerly, chairman of the American Civil Rights Initiative. He is a dynamic speaker and prominent figure on the US political scene. He has appeared repeatedly on the covers of national news weeklies, in The Wall Street Journal, and in virtually all of the nation’s daily newspapers. Above all, he is an individual of uncommon courage and dedication.
Ward led the successful campaign to pass Proposition 209 in California, banning race-based quotas in all California state and local governments. Ward, who is black, is no apologist for racial discrimination. He has personally experienced racism and has fought to overcome it. But “somewhere along the line,” he told Parade magazine in May, “we became addicted to government and its occupation of our lives.”
The solution to current racial problems, says Ward in the February issue of Imprimis, lies in treating “individuals as individuals, not as members of competing special interest groups.” His goal is Martin Luther King’s goal, that people be judged “not by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.”
2 P.J. O’Rourke
P.J. O’Rourke, our after-dinner speaker, is one of the funniest men alive. He coined such memorable lines as this: “Giving money and power to government is like giving whiskey and car keys to teenage boys.”
P.J. honed his fine sense of humor as editor and editor-in-chief for The National Lampoon during the 1970s. He currently staffs the international desk at Rolling Stone and is a senior fellow for the Cato Institute.
P.J. is the author of eight hilarious books, including three New York Times best sellers. Titles include Parliament of Whores, Republican Party Reptile, and Give War a Chance. His newest book, out this month, is titled Eat the Rich.
3 The Palmer House Grand Ballroom
If you’ve never attended an event in the Grand Ballroom of the Palmer House Hilton Hotel, you are in for a special treat. Palmer House is one of Chicago’s most famous hotels. Built in 1871 (and recently renovated) it is one of the world’s finest examples of “palace style” hotel architecture. Its second-floor lobby features a 40-foot vaulted ceiling and Tiffany sconces, making it one of Chicago’s most breathtaking public spaces.
The Grand Ballroom seats up to 800 people (we’d love to fill it!) and features a soaring ceiling, spectacular chandeliers, elaborate gold trim and wall paintings, and dramatic private balconies overlooking the main room. Sight lines are all excellent, and the seating is comfortable and elegant.
Impress your friends! Indulge your vanity! Bring your camera! This is truly a place to remember.
4 Fantastic Food
Rubber chicken, right? Wrong. You and your guests will feast on filet mignon stuffed with Boursin cheese and served with a peppercorn sauce. A selection of after-dinner cigars, compliments of Philip Morris, will be available to those who smoke.
The Palmer House is widely recognized for the outstanding quality of its food. Its many awards include the Meeting and Convention Gold Platter and the Association Meetings Inner Circle Award.
5 Wonderful Conversation
What is fine food without good conversation? The conversation at Heartland’s annual benefits is the best. One reason is the sheer number of people to talk with: Last year, a record 485 people attended.
Chicago’s leading supporters of individual freedom, free enterprise, and limited government attend to celebrate their victories and ponder their setbacks. You will meet business leaders, elected officials, candidates for public office, journalists, grassroots activists, and the leaders of other groups that share our goals.
Heartland doesn’t seat its speakers and prominent guests at a head table that is out-of-reach of guests. If you reserve a table, we may ask if you would like a speaker, elected official, or some other prominent guest seated at your table.
6 Live Jazz
If you like music, you must like jazz. And if you know your jazz, you know that John Wright is a Chicago jazz legend. Wright began his career at the age of three, picking out tunes on his family’s piano. He entertained troops during the Korean War, and for the next 25 years played piano for Chicago jazz singer Oscar Lindsay.
Heartland is pleased to have the John Wright Trio performing live following dinner. The Trio consists of Wright on piano, Chris Giles on bass, and Bill LePine on drums. Renowned vocalist Frieda Lee will join the Trio that evening. The music is bright, fast-paced, and world class.
If you know someone who likes jazz, invite him or her to come along! If you personally like jazz, you won’t want to miss this opportunity to see a true legend perform.
7 A Great Cause
Funds raised for the annual benefit go toward Heartland’s general operating budget. Last year’s event grossed almost $80,000 and netted $40,000, making this an important source of financial support for our programs.
Heartland’s work is important and unique. We reach more state elected officials, more often, than any other free-market think tank or advocacy group. We act as a clearinghouse for the work of other think tanks. We publish the national outreach publications for the free-market environmentalism movement and the movement for school choice.
Heartland relies on individuals for over a third of its total annual revenues, and over half of its general operating budget. We rely on you.
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Please buy a ticket or reserve a table. You and your guests will have an absolutely fabulous time, and Heartland will live to fight another day. I look forward to seeing you there.
P.S. If you absolutely, positively, cannot attend, please consider making a contribution so a student, activist, or volunteer can attend for free.
