The young man they saved was Kim Dae Jung. And as we often say, the rest is history. Together with a diplomat in Washington named Donald Ranard, Ambassador Habib intervened decisively to save him. On August 8, 1973, a young opposition leader was abducted and on the verge of losing his life. Phillip Habib served in Korea from 1971-1974, during an eventful, historically significant, year for the Republic. Next year, we’ll celebrate the centenary of his birth, and it’s going to be a big deal, because he was a truly remarkable American and diplomat, so much so that Warren Zevon even wrote a song about him titled “The Envoy.” “Send Lawyers, Guns and Money” is more the story of my life, but I digress. Many of you here have probably never heard of Ambassador Habib until now. Ambassador to the Republic of Korea, Phillip Habib. We consider ourselves especially lucky to take up residence at “Habib House” – a magnificent traditional Korean Hanok commissioned by former U.S. Since I last saw many of you, my wife Bruni and I moved to Korea and we now call Seoul home. So like any mentor should, I’ll try to keep my remarks brief and get out of the way for that next generation to follow. Now I know there are other, far more exemplary honorees being recognized tonight for their service and patriotism. Ambassador to the Republic of Korea, because of mentors and organizations like PPALM that have devoted themselves to creating opportunities and pathways, where previously there were none. It’s no exaggeration nor secret that Tony intervened in my career at a critical juncture and for that I can’t thank him enough.Įvery generation stands on the shoulders of the giants that preceded them, and I can say without exaggeration… that I am on this stage tonight as a Japanese American, a retired U.S.
Katherine Tobin, and General Tony Tagubu and his wife Debbie, and so many others. One of my own personal mentors, the distinguished General Ric Shinseki and his wife, Patty, joins us here tonight, as does Judge Evan Wallach and his wife, Dr. It’s truly a pleasure to be in the company of so many friends, mentors and leaders, who are examples to us all. Ladies and Gentlemen, I’m honored to be here tonight, and I’d like to thank the Pan-Pacific American Leaders and Mentors (PPALM) for organizing this wonderful event. So, I’m always worried that if I don’t pay close attention, I’ll take the podium after an introduction like that, and the first words out of my mouth will be, … “Thanks, Tony, for that very generous introduction.” You see, Benjamin Franklin once concluded an introduction of our second President, John Adams, by saying Adams was … “…always an honest man, often a wise one, but sometimes absolutely out of his mind.” Instead, I listen very carefully to how I’m introduced. Most speakers use the brief moments that they are being introduced as the final opportunity to prepare themselves to face their audience - one last prayer, perhaps. Thank you, Tony, for that very generous introduction. Let’s give it up one more time for “Ooh-La-La”! Pan-Pacific American Leaders and Mentors (PPALM)
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