Campus Leadership Dinner: Spring 2006
Campus Leadership Dinner (CLD) is organized to bring campus influentials into a formal setting in which Texans for Israel (TFI), the pro-Israel student organization on campus, facilitates Israel-friendly discussion over food and a keynote speaker. CLD is a strong show of solidarity and understanding between Israel and over 130 of the University’s most influential student leaders.
The 4th annual CLD was held at the new Texas Hillel Center, on April 3, 2006. Guests arrived and were assigned seats so that at least one TFI activist was at their table. Members of student government and presidents of cultural, Greek and political organizations filled the room. On the eve of the NCAA Men’s Basketball National Championship Game, hardly a seat was empty throughout the evening – a testament to TFI’s strong relationships with student leaders. University Democrats received an award for their outstanding dedication to TFI after this year’s display of their commitment and support for Israel.
Among the speakers were Texas Comptroller Carole Keeton Strayhorn, Texas Representative, Elliott Naishtat, Austin City Council Member Brooster McKraken, and both outgoing and incoming Texas Student Government Presidents Omar Ochoa and Danielle Rugoff. Each speaker discussed what Israel means to him/her, and why a strong US-Israel relationship is vital for the well-being of both countries. Texas Comptroller, Carole Keeton Strayhorn included in her remarks the importance of investment in Israel; she noted that since she entered office, Texas has increased its investment in Israel bonds by 83%. She then proudly gave keynote speaker David Olesker a Texas flag that flew over the state capitol just a few hours earlier. Omar Ochoa spoke about his new obsession for Israel since his return from AIPAC’s Policy Conference in March 2006. He spoke highly about TFI as an organization and encouraged all in attendance to get to know members of the award-winning organization.
Keynote speaker David Olesker gave what many later called “the best speech I’ve ever heard.” The audience was captivated by Olesker’s presentation about the Middle East and why the media so heavily covers Israel, yet ignores atrocities in Syria and Sudan. Many student leaders stayed late in order to speak with Olesker about his views. Others stayed to talk with each other about the speech. The conversation will surely continue in the days and weeks ahead.
CLD was a resounding success, and TFI hopes that it will be able to repeat this event for years to come.
The 4th annual CLD was held at the new Texas Hillel Center, on April 3, 2006. Guests arrived and were assigned seats so that at least one TFI activist was at their table. Members of student government and presidents of cultural, Greek and political organizations filled the room. On the eve of the NCAA Men’s Basketball National Championship Game, hardly a seat was empty throughout the evening – a testament to TFI’s strong relationships with student leaders. University Democrats received an award for their outstanding dedication to TFI after this year’s display of their commitment and support for Israel.
Among the speakers were Texas Comptroller Carole Keeton Strayhorn, Texas Representative, Elliott Naishtat, Austin City Council Member Brooster McKraken, and both outgoing and incoming Texas Student Government Presidents Omar Ochoa and Danielle Rugoff. Each speaker discussed what Israel means to him/her, and why a strong US-Israel relationship is vital for the well-being of both countries. Texas Comptroller, Carole Keeton Strayhorn included in her remarks the importance of investment in Israel; she noted that since she entered office, Texas has increased its investment in Israel bonds by 83%. She then proudly gave keynote speaker David Olesker a Texas flag that flew over the state capitol just a few hours earlier. Omar Ochoa spoke about his new obsession for Israel since his return from AIPAC’s Policy Conference in March 2006. He spoke highly about TFI as an organization and encouraged all in attendance to get to know members of the award-winning organization.
Keynote speaker David Olesker gave what many later called “the best speech I’ve ever heard.” The audience was captivated by Olesker’s presentation about the Middle East and why the media so heavily covers Israel, yet ignores atrocities in Syria and Sudan. Many student leaders stayed late in order to speak with Olesker about his views. Others stayed to talk with each other about the speech. The conversation will surely continue in the days and weeks ahead.
CLD was a resounding success, and TFI hopes that it will be able to repeat this event for years to come.
posted by DPR @ 10:16 PM
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