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Heard on the Hill: Amanpour to Host Press Dinner

“This Week” anchor Christiane Amanpour will serve as master of ceremonies at the Washington Press Club Foundation’s 67th Annual Congressional Dinner, scheduled for Feb. 9 at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel, foundation President Jim Kuhnhenn tells HOH.

The award-winning journalist will preside over the swanky black-tie gathering, which raises money for the foundation but also provides a venue for Members of Congress and journalists to hobnob outside of the stuffy halls of Congress. It’s traditionally the first press dinner of the year, although in 2010 it was postponed because of Snowmaggedon.

Congressional leadership typically attends, alongside a handful of B-list celebrities; famous attendees have included actor Ted Danson and Miss America.

The usual highlight of the night comes when a Member of Congress from each party performs a stand-up comedy routine. For example, then-Rep. Rahm Emanuel (D-Ill.)brought down the house in 2008 when he took jabs at nearly everybody in Washington.

“It’s never a good day when you have more ex-wives than supporters,” Emanuel joked of then-GOP presidential candidate Rudy Giuliani.

The foundation has yet to announce which Members of Congress will speak at the dinner.

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