Sep 22, 2005 -- U.S. Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton delivered the keynote address at the Gala celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University, held September 18 at the Waldorf-Astoria. Praising Einstein as an “extraordinary College of Medicine,” Senator Clinton told the more than 700 guests in attendance that the medical school embodies the American dream of tolerance and providing a better world for our children. From the very beginning, Einstein “has been a place of open opportunity, of high standards and of proven results,” she said. “When the history of the next 50 years is written, Albert Einstein College of Medicine will be known to have played an instrumental and essential role in helping us move the enterprise of science and medicine, making it clear that not only was Einstein College of Medicine founded on the right principles, but that it continues to pursue the work that is so essential for all of us.” The event, chaired by Elliot K. Wolk, a member of the Einstein Board of Overseers, also featured a performance by the comedian and actor Robert Klein and a video presentation produced by Rita Rosen, who also serves on the College’s Board. “The evening was very special to our faculty, alumni, friends and supporters,” said Mr. Wolk. Honorary chairs for the Gala were Gov. George E. Pataki of New York, U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer of New York, U.S. Sen. Frank Lautenberg of New Jersey and John C. Whitehead, chairman of the Lower Manhattan Development Corporation. “Our 50th Anniversary marks an important transition in the life of the Albert Einstein College of Medicine. As we set out on our second half-century, we look forward with confidence and enthusiasm to a future that will be even greater than our illustrious first 50 years.” said Ira M. Millstein, chairman of the Einstein Board of Overseers. Dominick P. Purpura, M.D., The Marilyn and Stanley M. Katz Dean of the medical school, said: “We are blessed to be living at a time when nature’s most carefully guarded secrets are being revealed in studies of basic life processes. Inspired by the vision of our namesake, the greatest scientist of the 20th century, the Albert Einstein College of Medicine is dedicated to being at the forefront of scientific discovery in the 21st century.”