Paula Cook, Pat Cook, Mark Cook with President and Mrs. Pervez Musharraf

WEST PALM BEACH -- Former Pakistan President, Pervez Musharraf was the guest speaker at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Palm Beach County’s Eminent Speaker’s Luncheon on March 9, 2010 at the Raymond F. Kravis Center’s Cohen Pavilion. The luncheon was presented by PNC.

Serving as president of Pakistan from 2001 – 2008, TIME Magazine described President Pervez Musharraf’s position as “the most dangerous job in the world.” President Musharraf played a crucial role in the global war on terror. President Musharraf has survived two assassination attempts; rooted out militants in his own government; helped direct countless raids against Al Qaeda – both in his cities and in the mountains; and tracked Osama Bin Laden with technical and human intelligence.

“The timing for President Musharraf’s visit could not be more relevant,” stated Wally Turner, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Palm Beach County and Co-chair of the Luncheon. “The global war on terror continues in intensity, evidenced by the wars still raging in Afghanistan and Iraq, tensions rising with Iran and the most recent failed Christmas attack. President Musharraf has been instrumental in pleading for understanding in his country’s fight against terrorism, and everyday life in a region that is deemed central to the outcome of that battle. This was an extraordinary opportunity for each of us to gain a better understanding of a region that remains critical to our national security.”

The luncheon was chaired by Wally Turner and Tom Quick. Among the over 350 supporters of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Palm Beach County were Craig Grant, PNC Regional President and major event sponsor,  Danielle and Kelly Moore, Former Palm Beach Mayor Leslie Smith with James Walsh, Kathy Bleznak, Mark Stevens, Sonja Abrahamsen, Suzanne and Michael Ainslie, Eileen and Brian Burns, Mark Freitas, Reid Boren, Dragana and Richard Connaughton, James Harpel, Karyn and Kevin Lamb, Michael Carr, Mac and Jamie Zahringer, John Firestone, Christine and Mike Hanley, Betsy Turner, Carole and James Manning, Barbara and Michael Crimi, Paula and Mark Cook, Patricia Cook, Bob Nederlander, Helen Abel, Mary Harrington, Jack Flagg, Richard Johnson, Kim Fonseca, John Mariani, Judy Grubman, Laura Evans, Allison and Brooks Bishop, David Fite, Christine Pitts, Kenn Karakul, James Held, Carol and Tom Kirchhoff, LouLou and Jamie Gordon, Eric Hartman and Susie Dwinell.

Past luncheon speakers have included Mikhail Gorbachev, former President George H. W. Bush, Queen Noor of Jordan, British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, General Colin Powell, Secretary of State Madeline Albright, Israeli Prime Minister Shimon Peres, and General H. Norman Schwarzkopf. These individuals have offered keen insights and enlightening views on world affairs to Palm Beach audiences.  All proceeds from the luncheon will be used to fund Boys & Girls Clubs’ programs for the county’s most disadvantaged youth.

Tom Quick and Wally Turner, who both serve on the Boys & Girls Clubs Board of Directors, are co-chairmen of the Eminent Speaker’s Luncheon.  Joining title sponsor, PNC, some lead supporters of the event were Jim Harpel, Tom Quick, Venus Pakistan, Helen Harding Abell, Charles & Ann Johnson Foundation, Deutsche Bank. Alex Brown, John D. Firestone, Frank Crystal & Company, Kelly & Danielle Moore, The Willits Foundation, Wally & Betsy Turner, Vincent Ricardel Photography, Brooks & Allison Bishop, C. Kenneth & Laura Baxter Foundation, Michael Carr, Celedinas & Reese Insurance, George & Tiffany Cloutier, Mark & Paula Cook, Denton Pond & Landscape, Fite Shavell & Associates, Kim Fonseca~ Morgan Stanley Smith Barney, Gunster, Attorneys at Law, Christine D. Hanley & Associates, P.A., Richard & Mary Harrington, Julie Kime ~ Allstate Insurance, Howard & Michele Kessler, Joe & Victoria Mele, Ross W. W. Meltzer, Northern Trust Value Investors, Sotheby’s International Realty and Toshiba Business Solutions.

More than 7,500 children participate in the Boys & Girls Clubs programs at one of 13 clubhouses throughout Palm Beach County. The Boys & Girls Clubs of Palm Beach County is the county’s largest not-for-profit youth development organization dedicated to serving youth from 6 to 18 years of age, particularly those from disadvantaged circumstances.  The Clubs emphasize educational, vocational, social, recreational, health, leadership, and character building skills in a positive and safe atmosphere.   Through quality programs, the Club experience provides children with the guidance they need to make a healthy transition from childhood to young adulthood.

For more information about The Boys & Girls Clubs of Palm Beach County please visit:
www.bgcpbc.org