“Those who came to the luncheon today are just a small portion of the millions of Americans who are participating in the conversation that the Trust for the National Mall has begun,” said Trust for the National Mall Founding Chairman Chip Akridge.  “We are extraordinarily appreciative of our guests and supporters, and to all Americans who recognize the importance of restoring the National Mall.  Our work has just begun, and I am confident that together we can make the National Mall the greatest park in the world.”

The Trust for the National Mall sold over 600 tickets and signed-up even more sponsors this year than for last year’s inaugural luncheon.  The event’s speakers included Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar, National Park Service Regional Director for the National Capital Region, Peggy O’Dell, and Chairman of the Trust for the National Mall Chip Akridge.  Washington DC Mayor Adrian Fenty and his wife Michelle served as the event’s Honorary Co-chairs.  Guests to the event, which took place in a tent on the National Mall, attended a short reception followed by a seated luncheon. 

“The Trust for the National Mall has been a key partner of the National Park Service and the Department of the Interior in raising awareness and funding for the rehabilitation of the National Mall,” said Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar.  “Today’s extraordinary gathering demonstrates the energy and enthusiasm behind the Trust’s effort and the strength of the partnership that we’ve developed together.  We look forward to continued cooperation with the Trust for the National Mall to restore this historic icon for all Americans.”

“The activism, ingenuity, and hard work of the Trust for the National Mall have been a driving force behind the increased awareness of and attention to the problems facing the National Mall,” said National Park Service Regional Director for the National Capital Region, Peggy O’Dell.  “The National Park Service is committed to continuing our partnership and making the Mall a better place for the 25 million visitors who come here annually.”

In the last year, the Trust for the National Mall contributed $1.1 million to the Centennial Challenge Initiative, which was met with federal matching funds to direct $2.2 million in funding for the design and production of desperately needed signs on the National Mall.  These signs, which will be installed later this year, will inform and educate visitors about the Mall’s iconic monuments and memorials and will help to make it easier for guests to navigate the National Mall.  Last month, Secretary Salazar directed $55 million in federal stimulus funding to repairs on the National Mall, including about $30 million to fix the environs around the Lincoln Memorial and the Reflecting Pool, $18 million to repair a Jefferson Memorial sea wall and $7.3 million to restore the District of Columbia War Memorial.  And just last week, the Trust for the National Mall announced plans for the first ever recycling program on the Mall, together with partners Coca-Cola, the National Park Service, and the National Park Foundation.

The luncheon hosted many politicians, dignitaries, and members of Washington’s diplomatic corps.  For a complete list of the Luncheon’s benefit committees, please see the attached document.

Today’s luncheon will be followed by tomorrow’s “Ball on the Mall” hosted by the Trust for the National Mall’s young professionals group the “L’Enfant Society.”  For more information, please see www.lenfantsociety.org.

The Trust for the National Mall is the authorized non-profit partner of

the National Park Service dedicated to restoring and improving the National Mall, while providing new educational and volunteer opportunities that connect the park’s 25 million annual visitors to the Mall’s rich history.

For more information on the Trust for the National Mall, please visit www.nationalmall.org.

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