Acclaimed actor Gary Sinise, national spokesperson for the Disabled Veterans LIFE Memorial Foundation, addressed members of the National Press Club on January 26, 2007. The event, sponsored by
the National Press Club Speakers Committee was held in the ballroom of the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. It included comments from Christian Bagge, an Iraq War disabled veteran and spokesperson for the Memorial, and Congressmen Mark Kirk (IL) and Dennis Moore (KS), co-sponsors of the Disabled Veterans Memorial Commemorative Coin legislation to honor our Nation's unsung heroes [add link to Commemorative Coin story].
Click here for Gary Sinise's comments.
Sinise, who in the movie "Forrest Gump" portrayed a commanding officer who loses his legs in the Vietnam conflict—and currently stars in the television drama "CSI: New York"—spoke about his support of American service personnel and the campaign to build this $65 million physical tribute to the three million living disabled veterans, and those who have passed away.
With his rock group the "Lt. Dan Band," Sinise tours with the USO entertaining American troops at home and abroad. His efforts have also helped raise funds
for the Wounded Warrior Project. Sinise is co-founder of the organization "Operation Iraqi Children," a charity that supplies classroom and educational materials to the children of Iraq. After a meeting with President George W. Bush at the White House, Sinise said: "Right now, our troops are at war. They are in harm's way. They need to know they are supported."
A veteran actor and director, Sinise was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his Lt. Dan Taylor role in "Forrest Gump" in 1994. He also appeared in "The Human Stain" with Anthony Hopkins and Nicole Kidman, "The Forgotten" with Julianne Moore, "Apollo 13," "Ransom" with Mel Gibson, "Reindeer Games" with Ben Affleck and Charlize Theron, and "The Green Mile" with Tom Hanks.
The National Press Club was established in 1908 to promote free speech and professional journalistic standards. An average of 70 luncheons each year provide a national forum for the views of presidents, prime ministers, business and cultural leaders, members of the Cabinet and Congress. The NPC luncheon is carried nationally by C-SPAN Television, American Public Radio, and XM Satellite Radio.
