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President George Washington appears at White House Correspondents’ Annual Garden Brunch

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Ian Kahn, who plays President George Washington, gave an impassioned speech celebrating a free press and the First Amendment at this year’s White House Correspondents’ Garden Brunch. Kahn presented Sergeant Major Sedrick Banks (Ret.), with a Visionary Award for his successes after recovering from severe combat injuries to owning his own small business. Banks was one of the first alums of veteran leadership initiative Dog Tag Bakery.

Kahn also said of the White House press corps and journalists who speak truth to power, “You are the front, you are fighting for liberty and for our freedoms. I think every day, ‘What would George Washington do?’ I think he would thank you. He would ask you to fight for your country.”

Kahn also appears in this season’s Billions series on Showtime.

For more photos from the 2017 #gardenbrunch click here.

White House Correspondent April Ryan Says First Amendment “Under Attack” at the White House Correspondents Garden Brunch

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One of the most experienced White House Correspondents attending this year’s White House Correspondents Garden Brunch, April Ryan of American Urban Radio Networks, discussed the importance of the First Amendment in a climate where leaders are deriding the press.

She wrote on the Microsoft Wall and tells us the importance of the First Amendment in a climate where leaders are deriding the press.

“When you attack the press you’re attacking information going to the people. It’s not about us, it’s about the people that get the information.”

VEEP’s Matt Walsh Champions National Endowment for the Arts at Garden Brunch 2017

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Washington’s A-listers gathered with Hollywood celebrities at this year’s White House Correspondents Garden Brunch on the morning of the White House Correspondents Dinner to champion democracy and a free press and to speak up for worthy causes. Matt Walsh, who plays Press Secretary Mike McClintock on HBO’s VEEP and his wife, actress and cofounder of 10th Avenue Tea, Morgan Walsh, discussed their work championing the National Endowment for the Arts.

“We came here to support and advocate for [the National Endowment for the Arts]. We went around Congress trying to get people to appreciate that particular part of government support.”

Senator Mark Warner Talks About the Importance of a Free Press

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Senator Mark Warner made an appearance at this year’s Garden Brunch to champion a free press on the morning of the White House Correspondents’ Dinner. According to Senator Warner,“A free press keeps us all honest. A free press is a cornerstone of our American democracy.”

This year’s Garden Brunch celebrated the free press by partnering with Democracy Fund to raise awareness for all of the work they do to provide funding for independent journalism and state and local news outlets. Democracy Fund’s President, Joe Goldman, was awarded this year’s Visionary Award.

Inside the Ballroom at This Year’s White House Correspondents Dinner

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Photo courtesy Haddad Media

Despite the absence of President Trump, last night’s White House Correspondents’ Dinner, had no shortage of star power.

The Daily Mail captured Plank Industries CEO Tom Geddes, CEO of Halcyon House Kate Goodall, and Volta Insider’s Rachel Greenberg seated at the Bloomberg table. Ringside was Senator Chris Coons, Shinola’s Tom Forrest, Working Nation Executive Producer Joan Lynch, Bloomberg’s Washington Bureau Chief Wes Kosova, CEO of Haddad Media Tammy Haddad, and Bloomberg TV anchor Vonnie Quinn.

This year’s Correspondents’ Dinner comedian was The Daily Show Correspondent Hasan Minhaj who, noting President Trump’s absence, said, “Even the president is not beyond the reach of the First Amendment.”

2017 Garden Brunch Photos

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The 2017 Garden Brunch took place mid-day on Saturday, April 29th as all in attendance took time during this busy weekend to honor two pillars of democracy: veterans and their families, and a free and fair press.

Please enjoy this collection of photos of the event and countless wonderful participants, courtesy of Haddad Media.

Dog Tag Bakery Alum Sedrick Banks Receives Visionary Award at White House Correspondents Garden Brunch

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Retired Sgt. Maj. Sedrick Banks speaks at the 2017 Garden Brunch. Photo courtesy Haddad Media.

The White House Correspondents Weekend is in full swing as Washington insiders and Hollywood stars gather at Connie Milstein’s Georgetown home for the annual Garden Brunch. This year’s theme is supporting two pillars of democracy: veterans and their families, and a free and fair press. That’s why the hosts have awarded U.S. Army Sergeant Major Sedrick A. Banks (Retired), a Dog Tag Bakery fellow the Visionary Award for overcoming his combat injuries and creating a successful small business.

Mark Testoni talks hiring veterans with NS2 Serves at the 2017 Garden Brunch. Photo courtesy Haddad Media.

Mark Testoni, President of SAP National Security Services (NS2). Testoni founded NS2 Serves, a nonprofit that trains and employs veterans in high-tech careers and Ian Kahn who plays George Washington presented him with the award.

According to Testoni, “U.S. Army Sergeant Major Sedrick Banks embodies perseverance.  In 2010, Sergeant Major Banks survived a mortar attack while deployed in Iraq. Like so many, he was left with both visible and invisible wounds. Defying the odds, he joined Dog Tag Inc’s program in 2014 in the hopes of turning his entrepreneurial dreams into reality. Sergeant Major Banks launched the Genuine Life Institute – a motivational coaching program.”

Democracy Fund’s Joe Goldman Accepts White House Correspondents Garden Brunch Visionary Award

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Democracy Fund’s Joe Goldman at the Microsoft Wall at the 2017 Garden Brunch. Photo courtesy Haddad Media.

This year’s White House Correspondents Garden Brunch saw celebrities and Washington media gather to celebrate two important pillars of American democracy. One of those pillars, a free and fair press, is essential to keeping our leaders honest. That’s why Democracy Fund president Joe Goldman received this year’s Visionary Award for his work in supporting independent journalists.

Democracy Fund is a bipartisan foundation that supports independent journalists and newsrooms across America through grants. It was founded by eBay founder Pierre Omidyar.

Democracy Fund’s Joe Goldman stands beside Greta Van Susteren at the 2017 Garden Brunch. Photo courtesy Haddad Media.

Introducing Goldman was legendary commentator Greta Van Susteren who took the stage to discuss the important work done by Joe Goldman and Democracy Fund which included giving over $12 million in grants to support press freedom and boost state and local newsrooms. “Last month Democracy Fund and its partners at First Look Media announced $12 million in grants to support press freedom. These grants ensure journalists have the resources and protections they need to meet the reporting challenges of today’s political landscape.”

After accepting the award, Goldman highlighted the need for organizations like Democracy Fund saying, “Hard-hitting journalists play a crucial role in our political system: informing the public and holding power accountable.”

President Trump Says He Would Attend 2018 White House Correspondents’ Dinner

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Photo courtesy Gage Skidmore.

The president announced in February that he would not attend this year’s White House Correspondents’ Dinner, scheduled to take place this Saturday, April 29.  But in a recent interview with Reuters, President Donald Trump suggested he may participate in future dinners.

“I would come next year, absolutely,” Trump replied when asked if he would attend future White House Correspondents’ Dinners.

This year marks the first time a sitting president was not at the annual White House Correspondents’ Dinner since Ronald Reagan was recovering from an assassination attempt in 1981.  Jimmy Carter was the last president to turn down an invitation to the 1978 Dinner.

Instead of attending the dinner, President Trump is schedule to speak to a political rally in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.

Jeff Mason, White House Correspondent for Reuters and president of the WHCA, has said the president’s absence is not all negative.  He said it would be “a great opportunity to make clear that this dinner is about celebrating the press, not the presidency.”

Volta Insider: Scientists and Protesters Come to DC for Earth Day March for Science

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Photo courtesy Volta Insider.

On the latest episode of Volta Insider, Rachel Greenberg went to the National Mall to talk to some of the protesters and scientists who showed up to celebrate science and advocate for facts.

Inspired by the worldwide Women’s March protest which took place the day after President Donald Trump’s inauguration, the March for Science was held on Earth Day, Saturday, April 22, to highlight environmental science in the face of climate change.

Denis Hayes, the founder of Earth Day, spoke to the marchers. “This is about last November’s election. Did America somehow vote to melt the polar ice caps and kill the coral reefs and acidify the oceans? Did we vote to reduce the EPA’s research budget by a whopping 42%?”

Greenberg introduces us to (ret)Navy Captain John Zimmerman, a nuclear engineer and submarine veteran, who carried a sign reading, ’Je suis science’.

Zimmerman said of the importance of this event, “Science has been my life, I’ve been a submariner so I’ve been involved in nuclear engineering and principles of science for my entire life. I just feel really strongly that if we support science, if we’re not afraid to figure out what the truth actually is, we’ll be great. I always want to bring the data to the problem. I don’t want to hear stories, I don’t want to hear alternative facts. No, there’s only facts, and that’s why I believe so strongly in what we’re doing here today.”

Meet more of the scientists Greenberg interviewed including Bob Hirshon, Program Director for Technology and Learning for the American Association for the Advancement of Science. Check out the latest episode of Volta Insider here:

Episode 18: The March for Science

Subscribe to Volta Insider on iTunes here:  https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/volta-insider/id1049322728?mt=2

Follow Rachel Greenberg on Twitter @VoltaInsider