Pacem In Terris students from Uganda attend the fifth annual "Tribute to Peace" Dinner with Madame Janet Museveni, first lady of the Republic of Uganda.

"Being sensitive to the plight of those less fortunate than themselves, Pfizer has taken from its good fortunes and blessed its neighbors," said Madame Janet Museveni, First Lady of the Republic of Uganda and co-chairperson of the Pacem In Terris Board of Governors. "This is another way to enhance and establish peace on earth."

It is Madame Museveni's people that benefit from the philanthropy of Pfizer Inc. Pfizer has teamed with North American and Ugandan public health experts to establish the Infectious Diseases Institute at Makerere University in Kampala, Uganda. The company has already committed significant resources to fighting the rapid spread of AIDS in that nation.

From left: Richard Zappala, co-chair of the Pacem In Terris Board of Governors, and Janet Museveni, chair of the Board, present a "Tribute to Peace" Award to Pfizer Inc. Accepting the award on behalf of Henry McKinnel was Chuck Hardwick, senior vice president Pfizer Inc.

Guests of the dinner that honored Pfizer's efforts gathered at Pittsburgh's Westin Convention Center Hotel on Saturday, May 4, for a gala evening. The proceeds from the event benefit the Pacem In Terris Institute, which provides scholarship assistance to students from developing and post-conflict nations. In return, the students agree to go back to their homelands and improve conditions there once they graduate from La Roche College.

The mission of the Institute is to promote peace. It is also Pfizer's mission in Uganda as the company invests resources to fight HIV/AIDS.

Monsignor William Kerr with Bill Hemmer, CNN news anchor and master of ceremonies for the evening.

"The AIDS pandemic is a great threat to peace," said Chuck Hardwick, senior vice president of government and public affairs for Pfizer Inc., who accepted the award on behalf of his company. "There is simply no question that the devastation being done will continue to contribute to regional instabilities."

As she saluted Pfizer's efforts in her homeland, Madame Museveni also took time to pay tribute to the Pacem In Terris Institute.

"Peace and international understanding must be part of the learning process of our young people if we are to achieve them," said Museveni. "The most effective way to defeat evil in the world is to do good. When we actively identify or take sides with the good, we disable the evil. My hope and prayer is that the young people in our midst will come to realize the truth of this statement and will choose to actively take sides with good against evil. They will become bearers of light in a world that is quickly becoming dark."

Mr. Bill Hemmer, news anchor and foreign correspondent for CNN, served as master of ceremonies for the evening's program. Also in attendance were: Mr. Richard Zappala, co-chairperson of the Pacem In Terris Board of Governors; Tom Murphy, mayor of Pittsburgh; Jim Roddey, Allegheny County chief executive; members of the La Roche College board of trustees; members of Congress, ambassadors, corporate and civic leaders; and La Roche College faculty, staff and students.