[ applause ] yup. you want me to sit down there? i was so late, i thought i had better get started right away. [ laughter ] good evening again. for those of you that i have not met, my name is joanne drake. as chief administrative officer for the institute, i want to welcome you all here. it is our tradition here that in honor of our men and women who wear uniform of this country around the world we ask that you stand and join us in the pledge to the flag and i ll ask that you remain standing for a moment of silence in honor of our former first lady barbara bush. i pledge allegiance to the flag of the united states of america. and to the republic, for which it stands. one nation, under god, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. thank you. be seated. i want to thank all of you for coming out tonight and bearing with us. you all live in southern california and you know what we re up against there. you know, in addition to our honored guest this evening, sheila