The event commenced with a video welcome from President George W. Bush to all the guests and commending Starkey Hearing Foundation CEO, William Austin, on his philanthropic efforts to bring the gift of hearing to those in need throughout the United States and the world.

Silent and live auctions contributed to raising more than $1 million for The Starkey Hearing Foundation.Auction items included a mission to El Salvador for $45,000, sports memorabilia, fine jewelry and a variety of sporting goods.

The evening would not have been possible without the support and generosity of many businesses and organizations, including: Gennum Corporation, Sonion Microtronic, LaSalle Bank, Resistance Technology, Inc., Walker’s Game Ear, Royal Caribbean Cruise Line, Micro-Tech, Knowles Electronics, DSP Factory, Ernest and Young, Henkel Loctite, Van Buerden Insurance Services, Dorsey and Whitney LLP, Unisys, Hewlett-Packard, Marriott Corporation, Glenrose Foral, Beacon Mailing, Pohlad Family Charities and Creek Lithographics.

Photos

General Schwarzkopf and Bill Austin	Honorees	Buzz, Bill and Norm
Bill, Billy Dean and Pat Boone	Heather Whitestone McCallum	Evening Backdrop
Mickey Rooney	The Youngest Guests at the Gala