- Friday 03 September / 09h55 (Paris)
| Friday, October 16, 2009 | 10:33 |
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“Spirit of Mount Vernon” Industry Heritage Dinner and Rare Spirits Auction Raises $200,000 for Historic Mount Vernon
(Drinks Media Wire). - Four New Members Inducted Into George Washington Spirits Society -
MOUNT VERNON, VA – The Distilled Spirits Council’s eighth annual “Spirit of Mount Vernon” heritage dinner and rare spirits auction held last night on the lawn of Mount Vernon raised more than $200,000 for the education programs at Historic Mount Vernon, bringing the grand total for the history of this event to $2 million.
During the auction, five gallons of George Washington Distillery Dedication Rye Whiskey, produced in honor of His Royal Highness, Prince Andrew, Duke of York, during his historic visit to Mount Vernon in 2006 for the dedication of the reconstructed distillery sold for $25,000 to an anonymous bidder in the United Kingdom. The five gallons will be bottled by Mount Vernon with personalized Mount Vernon labels and bottles.
A limited edition set of George Washington Distillery Straight Rye Whiskey and Martha Washington Colonial Rum uniquely coupled together in honor of their 250th wedding anniversary sold for $12,000 to Hal Gershman, owner of Happy Harry’s Bottle Shops, Inc. in North Dakota.
“The partnership between Mount Vernon and the Distilled Spirits Council has been extremely important to our mission of educating people about George Washington,” said Jim Rees, executive director of Mount Vernon. “Not only has DISCUS supported exhibits that allow us to tell the story of Washington’s entrepreneurial endeavors, the organization continues to raise funds that directly benefit our education programs.”
“It has been a great honor for the spirits industry to work so closely with Mount Vernon to support its important education programs,” said Peter Cressy, President and CEO of the Distilled Spirits Council, which sponsored the gala event. “It has also been a wonderful opportunity to showcase George Washington’s role as a leading distiller of his time.”
The heritage dinner, supported by the Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America and the International Dairy Foods Association, was attended by over 600 Washington notables including: Rep. Shelley Berkley (D-NV); Senator Byron Dorgan (D-ND); Rep. Henry Brown (R-SC); Rep. Ginny Brown-Waite (R-FL); Rep. John Mica (R-FL); Rep. Frank Lucas (R-OK); Rep. Dan Lungren (R-CA); Rep. Don Manzullo (R-IL); Rep. Jean Schmidt (R-OH); Rep. Rob Wittman (R-VA) and Rep. John Yarmuth (D-KY).
George Washington Spirits Society Inductees Honored
During the event four new members were inducted into the George Washington Spirits Society. The 2009 inductees are: U.S. Representative Shelley Berkley (D-NV); The Honorable John E. Jones, III, U.S. District Judge of the Middle District of Pennsylvania and former Chairman of the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board; Mr. Vern Underwood, Jr., Chairman and CEO of wholesaler Young’s Holdings; and Red Cavaney, Senior Vice President of ConocoPhillips.
“These distinguished individuals exemplify the outstanding qualities exhibited by our nation’s first President in his life, his business enterprises, and his service to his country,” said Distilled Spirits Council President Peter H. Cressy. “George Washington’s Spirits Society exists to celebrate, manifest and uphold the noble traits and high standards exhibited by our Founding Father.”
Each honoree was inducted as “Guardian of His Spirit” and presented a medal made through an antique process using burnished silver over pewter, featuring an image of George Washington with the words “Heritage, Responsibility and Integrity” on one side and a replica of George Washington’s copper pot still on the other side.
The inductees were selected by the Board of Trustees of the George Washington Spirits Society, which is made up of representatives of America’s leading distillers and Historic Mount Vernon.
THE 2009 INDUCTEES INTO THE GEORGE WASHINGTON SPIRITS SOCIETY:
U.S. Representative Shelley Berkley (D-NV), has distinguished herself as an extraordinary state and national leader. Berkley, a six term member of Congress, currently serves on the House Committee on Ways and Means and the Committee on Foreign Affairs. Prior to joining Congress, Berkley was Vice Chair of the Nevada University and Community College System Board of Regents and Chaired the Board of the Nevada Hotel and Motel Association. Berkley served in the Nevada State Assembly from 1982-1984. Berkley is a strong supporter of the hospitality industry in Nevada and across America.
The Honorable John E. Jones, III, has distinguished himself by his remarkable service and leadership at both the state and national level. A U.S. District Judge of the Middle District of Pennsylvania, Judge Jones has presided over several noteworthy cases including the landmark Kitzmiller v. Dover Area School District case, in which the teaching of “intelligent design” in public school science classes was ruled to be unconstitutional. He was recognized as one of Time magazine’s 100 Most Influential People of the Year in 2006. As Chairman of the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board from 1995 to 2002, he provided great leadership to the wine and spirits industry and was an effective leader in the fight against underage drinking and drunk driving. Judge Jones serves on numerous charitable and service boards including the Board of Trustees of Dickinson College.
Vern Underwood, Chairman and CEO of Young’s Holdings, has distinguished himself through his dedicated leadership of the wine and spirits industry and by his outstanding service to his community for over 40 years. He has spent his entire career at Young's Market Company and Young's Holdings, Inc., working in virtually every capacity. His charitable efforts and service to his community have been extraordinary. Underwood is a generous supporter of local charitable causes including Hoag Memorial Hospital, Mission Children's Hospital of Orange County, the Boys' and Girls' Clubs, and Chapman University. He serves with dedication on numerous service and charitable boards.
Contact
| Name: Ben Jenkins |
| E-mail: |
| Web: http://www.distilledspirits.org |
| Company: Distilled Spirits Council of the United States |
| Address: 1250 Eye Street NW - DC 20005 Washington |
| Country: UNITED STATES |
| Phone: +1 202-682-8840 |
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