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Jim Gaffigan, the Catholic American stand-up comedian, announced that he will be the MC (host) for the annual Al Smith Dinner, organized by the Archdiocese of New Year, this year (October 17). The dinner is orgHis material often addresses fatherhood, food, religion. He is seen as a "clean" comic, using little profanity in his routines. He co-created and starred in the TV Land series The Jim Gaffigan Show, based on his life. Gaffigan was one of the 100 comedians invited to the Vatican to meet with Pope Francis earlier this year. Previously, in 2015, Gaffigan performed at the Festival of Families in Philadelphia, attended by Pope Francis during his papal visit to the United States. He works with his wife, actress Jeannie Gaffigan, with whom he has five children. He wrote on his Facebook:
I’m so honored to be MCing this year's Al Smith Memorial Dinner on October 17th. Too bad I don't recognize those two names in the middle of the invitation. Anyone ever heard of them?
(Below was the invitation to the dinner that will have both political presidential nominees Vice President Kamala Harris and Former President Donald Trump)
About The Dinner
Since its first dinner in 1946, The Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation Dinner has raised millions of dollars for New York’s most vulnerable women and children. The Dinner has featured renowned cultural, business, and political figures, including most major party presidential nominees during election years since 1960. Today the dinner is a cultural landmark, a living memorial to one of New York’s most beloved sons, remembered as the first Roman Catholic presidential candidate for a major party and a four-term governor who catalyzed labor reform and social security legislation in America.
This year's 79th Annual Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation Dinner will take place on October 17, 2024, at the New York Hilton Midtown, 1335 Avenue of Americas.
More than 900 people attended The Dinner in 2023. We joyfully celebrated the hard work, dedication, and invaluable impact achieved by The Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation last year, raising $7.1 million for those in need.
About the Foundation
In 1946, The Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation was established by Francis Cardinal Spellman to honor the legacy of Alfred Emanuel Smith, New York’s most renowned Catholic governor and the first Roman Catholic to run for President of the United States on a major party ticket.
Today, the Foundation continues the good work of Alfred E. Smith by providing financial support to organizations that serve New York’s most vulnerable children.
Alfred E. Smith
Born on December 30, 1873, Alfred Emanuel Smith was destined to become a “man for the people.” His childhood playground, on the Lower East Side of Manhattan, taught him much about diversity in as much as its population combined the immigrant cultures of the Irish, Germans, French, Polish, Italians, and Spaniards-to name but a few.
Governor Smith’s career in politics began in 1895, with an appointment on the basis of a recommendation from a friend in Tammany Hall, as an investigator in the Office of the City Commissioner of Jurors. When he was elected to the State Assembly in 1903, he quickly proved himself to be a skilled politician and an influential reformer. Service on a 1911 commission to investigate factory conditions and as a 1915 delegate to the State Constitutional Revision Committee further expanded Governor Smith’s vision.
The Governor’s political career began to truly flourish, however,with his 1915 Tammany Hall appointment as Sheriff of New York County and his 1917 election as President of the Board of Aldermen of Greater New York.
In 1918, to the surprise of many, he was elected Governor of the State of New York. Although he lost the 1920 election, he ran successfully again in 1922, 1924, and 1926 – making him one of three New York State Governors to be elected to four terms. While Governor, he achieved the passage of extensive reform legislation, including improved factory laws, better housing requirements, and expanded welfare services. Additionally, he reorganized the State government into a consolidated and business-like structure. Governor Smith won the Democratic Party’s nomination for President of the United States in 1928. During his campaign he continued to champion the cause of urban residents.
Today, the Foundation continues the good work of Alfred E. Smith by providing financial support to organizations that serve New York’s most vulnerable children.
Alfred E. Smith
Born on December 30, 1873, Alfred Emanuel Smith was destined to become a “man for the people.” His childhood playground, on the Lower East Side of Manhattan, taught him much about diversity in as much as its population combined the immigrant cultures of the Irish, Germans, French, Polish, Italians, and Spaniards-to name but a few.
Governor Smith’s career in politics began in 1895, with an appointment on the basis of a recommendation from a friend in Tammany Hall, as an investigator in the Office of the City Commissioner of Jurors. When he was elected to the State Assembly in 1903, he quickly proved himself to be a skilled politician and an influential reformer. Service on a 1911 commission to investigate factory conditions and as a 1915 delegate to the State Constitutional Revision Committee further expanded Governor Smith’s vision.
The Governor’s political career began to truly flourish, however,with his 1915 Tammany Hall appointment as Sheriff of New York County and his 1917 election as President of the Board of Aldermen of Greater New York.
In 1918, to the surprise of many, he was elected Governor of the State of New York. Although he lost the 1920 election, he ran successfully again in 1922, 1924, and 1926 – making him one of three New York State Governors to be elected to four terms. While Governor, he achieved the passage of extensive reform legislation, including improved factory laws, better housing requirements, and expanded welfare services. Additionally, he reorganized the State government into a consolidated and business-like structure. Governor Smith won the Democratic Party’s nomination for President of the United States in 1928. During his campaign he continued to champion the cause of urban residents.
Source: https://www.alsmithfoundation.org/foundation/
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