John Catsimatidis, chairman and CEO of the Red Apple Group, was honored at the Appeal of Conscience Foundation gala, supporting religious freedom and human rights throughout the world, at the Marriot Marquis.

Catsimatidis addressed the crowd with some powerful words concerning the state of our world today: “Christians and Jews have lived under the rule of law. I urge the Muslim world leaders to counsel their followers to live in peace and tolerance of each other as well as with the other faiths in the world. If Turkey will ever want to become a member of the European Community, they must follow the rule of law as well as practice tolerance of all religions.”

Also being honored were Red Cross chair-woman Bonnie McElveen-Hunter and President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva of Brazil, who addressed the crowd in Portuguese (a translator constantly over his shoulder, which made it look as if two heads were coming out of the same neck, with one talking to the other all evening). The national anthems of Brazil and the U.S. played as the crowd enjoyed the sumptuous fare at this dignified event.

Guests on and off the dais included: Hon. William Luers, U.S. Ambassador Charles Gargano, Cardinal Theodore McCarrick, Rabbi Arthur Schneier, Les Goodstein, Archbishop Demetrios, Nicholas Burns, Howard Rubenstein, Polly and Dennis Droushiotis, Jay Stein, and John Brademas.

Uniting the world—one evening at a time!