Art Wiese Speaks: Kissinger delivers farewell address

"Kissinger's Farewell: Henry Kissinger, secretary of State in both the Nixon and Ford administrations, delivered his farewell address at the National Press Club in January 1977.

After reviewing the prospects for peace in the Mideast, Kissinger was surprised -- and visibly pleased -- when a belly dancer suddenly appeared before the podium and began her act. It was the Press Club's own humorous goodbye to one of the 20th Century's most famous diplomats. It happened at the Club -- where news (sometimes fun) happens in the nation's capital."

This snippet is one of many put together by the late Art Wiese, who served as Club president in 1979. He was responsible for planning much of the reconstruction of the Club during its renovation in the early 1980s. In his later years, he put together a series of snippets on the Club's history. In honor of his passing last year, the Wire is running one of them each week while they last.