Washington Meeting Brings Together IALC Board Members, Israeli Ambassador

(16 July 1998)

Former Israeli Ambassador Dr. Israel Eliashiv met with IALC board members in Washington in May 1998 to discuss possible collaborative fund-raising.

IALC executive vice president Dr. Don Hegwood, board members Dr. John Nicholaides, Dr. Ray Moore, communications coordinator Angela Gabusi, and Washington representative Mr. Pat Mitchell worked jointly on a plan that would promote the IALC's Center for Middle East Desert Policy Initiatives, as well as build a stronger fund-raising relationship with the Ben-Gurion University of the Negev. Dr. Eliashiv is Senior Advisor at Ben-Gurion.

Part of the meeting focused on the strategies necessary in order to secure the support necessary for the Center, as well as the best methods for involving partners from throughout the region, including government, corporate, and educational institutions. Discussion revolved around future tactics, goals, and projects best suited to meet the changing and evolving needs of the Consortium as it heads into its 10th year of existence.

While in Washington, Hegwood, Nicholaides, Moore, and Mitchell also took time out of their schedules to meet with key legislators on Capitol Hill . Armed with IALC briefing packets, the four met with Representatives Solomon P. Ortiz (D-Texas), Ruben Hinojosa (D-Texas), and Ciro Rodriguez (D-Texas), and Senators Tom Daschle (Senate Minority Leader; D-South Dakota) and Tim Johnson (D-South Dakota). The four IALC representatives updated the legislators on the IALC's current activities and future plans, including the IALC's newest initiative, the Center for Middle East Desert Policy Initiatives.