Lee Greenwood delivered another distinguished performance of ‘God Bless The U.S.A.’ Tuesday to over 1,8000 esteemed guests at the Washington Hilton’s International Ballroom in Washington, D.C. at the 107th First Lady’s Luncheon, honoring Mrs. Melania Trump and also celebrating Indiana’s Hoosier Heartland. The event was presented by The Congressional Club Museum and Foundation, chaired by Jennifer Messer (R-IN) and co-chair Patti Garamendi (D-CA). Greenwood was joined by “The President’s Own” United States Marine Corps Band, featuring Master Sergeant Kevin L. Bennear who performed the National Anthem.
Four-time Emmy award winner and former co-host of ‘TODAY’ Kathie Lee Gifford was also in attendance and recognized as a special guest, introducing a dynamic performance of “The God Who Sees” which she co-wrote with Grammy-nominated contemporary Christian singer Nicole C. Mullen. The performance was set to a portion of a short film Gifford produced with Mullen in Israel, based on the song. Multi-platinum recording artist Michael W. Smith performed a selection of his most well-known hit songs, including a patriotic video montage in remembrance of 9/11 “There She Stands” and closed with his heartfelt blockbuster hit “Friends.” Smith was also recently honored by Gifford, Greenwood, and Mullen in Nashville for his 35th anniversary of ‘Friends’.
“What an honor it was to be asked for a second year in a row to perform for some of the most powerful women in our nation’s capital,” said Greenwood. “I was overjoyed to sing at the bipartisan Congressional Club’s luncheon for the First Lady, and to hear more about the great Be Best program she has launched to help children within our borders and around the world.”
The First Lady posted to social media following the event: “Honored to take part in the 107th First Lady’s Luncheon today hosted by the Congressional Club. A wonderful opportunity to come together w/ spouses for a bipartisan event. Thank you for all you do & the generous donations you give that support & care for our communities. #BeBest”
Other distinguished guests in attendance included Mrs. Karen Pence, The Second Lady of the United States of America, Mr. Paul Pelosi, Husband of the Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, Mrs. Susan Pompeo, Wife of the Secretary of State, Mrs. Ginni Lamp Thomas, Wife of the Associate Justice of the Supreme Court, Mrs. Martha-Ann Alito, Wife of the Associate Justice of the Supreme Court, Mrs. Louise Gorsuch, Wife of the Associate Justice of the Supreme Court, Mrs. Ashley Kavanaugh, Wife of the Associate Justice of the Supreme Court, Mrs. Christine Barr, Wife of the Attorney General, Mrs. Gena Bernhardt, Wife of the Secretary of the Interior, Mrs. Mary Perdue, Wife of the Secretary of Agriculture, Mrs. Hilary Geary Ross, Wife of the Secretary of Commerce, Mrs. Jennifer Azar, Wife of the Secretary of Health and Human Services, Mrs. Candy Carson, Wife of the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, Mrs. Julia Wilkie, Wife of the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, The Honorable Elaine Chao, The Secretary of Transportation and Wife of the Majority Leader of the U.S. Senate, Mrs. Judy McCarthy, Wife of the U.S. House Republican Leader.
Charitable recipients of the luncheon included the Vera Bradley Foundation for Breast Cancer and the Washington Tennis Education Foundation.
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Bethany Bowman is an entertainer writer from Nashville, TN. You can follow her on Twitter and Instagram.
