The Sam Attlesey Dinner

Karen Hughes, Honorary Dinner Chairman

 

 

Dear Friend:

 

Sam Attlesey was a rarity in journalism: a man respected and loved not only by his colleagues, but also by the people he covered during his 20 year career as the state’s top political writer for The Dallas Morning News Capitol Bureau.  His death from cancer in 2003 left a huge void in both political reporting and in the hearts of his friends.

 

To honor Sam, the Sam Attlesey Endowed Scholarship Fund has been established at the College of Communication at The University of Texas at Austin. The Sam Attlesey Endowed Scholarship Fund will pay tuition and other expenses to help aspiring journalists graduate from one of the top journalism schools in the nation. 

 

On Wednesday, March 16th at 7:00 pm, the College will host a roast of Lt. Governor David Dewhurst to benefit Sam’s Endowment. 

 

Governor Rick Perry will be a roaster, along with Senators John Whitmire, Florence Shapiro and Judith Zaffirini.  Capitol Press Corps Dean Clay Robison and The Dallas Morning News Capitol Bureau Chief Christy Hoppe will serve as roasters as well.  Sam’s former Dallas Morning News colleague Wayne Slater will serve as Master of Ceremonies.

 

Special guests will include the following statewide elected officials: Carole Keeton Strayhorn, Jerry Patterson, Susan Combs, Victor Carrillo, Michael Williams, Wallace Jefferson and Railroad Commissioner designate Elizabeth Ames Jones. 

 

The dinner proceeds will help Sam’s Endowment achieve the prestigious Endowed Presidential Scholarship status at The University, and provide scholarships to journalism students who aspire to outstanding careers in political journalism just as Sam did.  Contributions to this event are tax deductible to the extent allowable by law and corporate checks are acceptable.

 

Please respond generously to this request by becoming a dinner sponsor.  Sponsorship levels to this event are $10,000 (platinum level), $5,000 (gold level) and $1,000 (silver level).  General Admission Tickets will also be available for purchase at a later time.

 

We’re asking you [your association/organization] to participate as a [platinum/gold/silver] sponsor to this event. 

 

You’ll find details on the event in the enclosed information sheet or you may call Melissa Russell at the College of Communication to answer any questions you may have. She may be reached at (512) 471-0609 or via email at mkrussell@mail.utexas.edu.

 

Please join us for a fun filled, enjoyable evening to honor the memory of a great Texan – Sam Attlesey – at the expense of another great Texan - Lt. Governor David Dewhurst – and help us establish a lasting legacy of excellence in reporting on politics and public policy in Sam’s memory.

 

Sincerely,

 

 

Karen Hughes

Honorary Dinner Chairman