Transforming a Lifetime Achievement Award
Into an emotional event of historic significance

With over 1000 formally attired guests in attendance, including President George W. Bush, Chick Harrity was presented with the White House News Photographers' Association (WHNPA) Lifetime Achievement Award, during a gala event held at the Ritz Carlton Hotel in Washington DC on Saturday evening, May 21, 2005. But there were two individuals present who stood out from the ceremony, and transformed the gathering from a notable awards function into a historic celebration of life, compassion, and the indomitable human spirit.

Unbeknownst to the honoree, the woman presenting the award was none other than Tran Thie Het Nhanny, the infant girl Harrity had photographed in 1973 on the streets of Saigon, lying half naked in a cardboard box next to her young brother, a street beggar. The searing AP image, known as the "baby in the box", was circulated all over the world, creating such an outpouring of concern that Nhanny, brought to the U.S. for corrective surgery, was then adopted by American parents.

Now a grown woman living in Ohio, Nhanny, and her adoptive mother Evelyn Warren Heil were reunited with the photographer whose images had changed her life, in a special tribute arranged by The Tiffen Company, a corporate sponsor of the WHNPA.

In an emotionally charged moment, with President Bush, Tiffen Company President and CEO Steven Tiffen, and WHNPA president Susan Walsh looking on, Nhanny presented Harrity with his Lifetime Achievement Award to thundering applause and a standing ovation by the audience. Tiffen then introduced Evelyn Heil, who was warmly embraced by Harrity as the assembled multitude again expressed their heartfelt enthusiasm by applauding wildly.

Chick Harrity, who spent 16 years at AP, over 20 years as Chief Photographer of U.S. News and World Report, and 33 years as a member of the White House press corps before retiring in 2001, was clearly moved. Receiving the most prestigious award in his profession was clearly a great honor, but by putting Harrity's achievements in a historical context, the event became something transcendent, a celebration of the power of photography and human empathy to transform the world.

Honored to have played a part in helping to elevate the gala event into a historic occasion, Tiffen also presented a full-size Domke briefcase, embroidered with the WHNPA official seal, to every attendee, as a special memento.

Tiffen, known world-wide for its Academy Award- and Emmy Award-winning filters, is also the exclusive distributor of Steadicam products, Domke bags, Davis & Sanford Tripods, Kodak Gear accessories and books, Kodak professional trimmers, Stroboframe Brackets, Tiffen Digital Optics, Saunders Easels, and Zing neoprene cases.

Photographs: Kevin Wolf, White House News Photographers' Association   

WHNPA Lifetime Award winner, Chick Harrity,
 is warmly congratulated by Tiffen Company 
President and CEO, Steven Tiffen.

President George W. Bush applauds, as Chick Harrity 
is presented with his WHNPA Lifetime Achievement Award by Tran Thie Het Nhanny.

Tran Thie Het Nhanny is embraced by 
WHNPA Lifetime Achievement Award 
winner, Chick Harrity.

Award winner Chick Harrity (2^nd from right) is 
congratulated by WHNPA president, Susan 
Walsh, President George W. Bush  and 
Tiffen Company president and CEO, Steven Tiffen,.

WHNPA Lifetime Achievement Award winner,  Chick Harrity, addresses an audience of more than  1,000 guests, including President George W. Bush and  WHNPA president, Susan Walsh.  Looking on
 is Tiffen Company president and CEO, 
Steven Tiffen with Tran Thie Het Nhanny.

Tiffen also presented a full-size Domke briefcase, embroidered with the WHNPA
official seal, to every attendee,
as a special memento.