3 OCTOBER 2001
Former US President Bill Clinton was honoured on Tuesday evening at a star-studded Los Angeles gala sponsored by American Oceans Campaign. Titanic heart-throb Leonardo DiCaprio and action star Sylvester Stallone were among the celebrities gathered to fete the world leader at the glitzy bash co-chaired by famed philanthropist and media mogul Ted Turner and CBS honcho Les Moonves.

“We can think of no one more deserving of this year’s American Oceans Campaign Partners Award than President Clinton,” says founding president of the organisation and Cheers star Ted Danson. “From protecting fragile coral reefs to helping keep America’s beach waters clean and healthy, Bill Clinton never hesitated during his presidency to take bold action to save our magnificent yet imperiled oceans and coasts. He is a true ocean hero to whom we are proud to present this award.”

“I am honoured to be this year’s recipient,” said the 42nd president of the US. “American Oceans Campaign has done tremendous work to ensure that our children will inherit the gift of living oceans and a healthy environment. We are only beginning to understand the depths of the ocean’s mysteries, but we are quickly learning one crucial lesson: the ocean’s resources are limited, and we must work together to preserve them.”

Politically Incorrect host Bill Maher presided over the dinner, which featured a performance by legendary musician Ray Charles and the culinary delights of five renowned chefs.

Socially-conscious fashion house Ermenegildo Zegna co-sponsored the event. “At Zegna, we believe there is no gift more precious than preserving the earth’s natural resources for our children and future generations,” says Emenegildo Zegna USA President and CEO Richard Cohen. “We are honoured to continue our support of major national and international environmental causes.”