AHI Hosts Business Network Luncheon In Washington, D.C.

On April 11, 2000 the American Hellenic Institute held a business network luncheon at the Capital Hilton, Washington D.C. The speaker was Mr. Paul Glastris, Special Advisor to the President and senior Presidential Speechwriter.

Mr. Glastris provided a fascinating insight into the process of presidential speechwriting, including preparation of major domestic speeches such as the State of the Union address and significant foreign policy addresses such President Clinton's speech at the Intercontinental Hotel, Athens on November 20, 1999.

In his remarks, Mr. Glastris also traced the development of the art of speechwriting from ancient Athens in the 4th century BC through the founding of the United States.

Mr. Glastris was born in St. Louis in 1955. He graduated from Northwestern University with a BA in History and an MA in Radio and TV Journalism. After coming to Washington, Mr. Glastris worked on the Washington Monthly and US News and World Report. For the latter, he served as Bureau Chief in Chicago and in Berlin, where he covered the end of the war in Bosnia. His reporting assignments have taken him all over the world, including to Pontos to write a story on the Pontian Greeks.

Mr. Glastris joined the Clinton administration in September 1998. His duties as Senior Presidential Speechwriter have led him to write on a wide variety of issues including education, crime, the budget, Medicare and foreign affairs.

This event was the third monthly luncheon in 2000 of the AHI business network. These luncheons are designed to promote business associations among AHI members, their guests and other interested participants.