Over the last week we’ve had a number of exciting developments happen with the 2008 Corporate Citizenship Awards Dinner. First of all, two high-profile government officials have agreed to be part of the evening’s activities: Dana Perino, White House Press Secretary, will emcee the program and U.S. Secretary of Commerce Carlos Gutierrez will offer remarks.

Second, one of the most influential and respected business professors in the country also will take a few minutes to speak to the 550-person crowd: Professor Michael Porter from Harvard.

Third, in addition to U.S. Chamber President and CEO Thomas J. Donohue, the dinner will bring together a fantastic group of business leaders from all industries and company sizes. They will all be there with the purpose of celebrating the positive role of business in society – and the Awards Dinner finalists and sponsors have plenty of examples of corporate citizenship to prove the point.

And, finally, BCLC announced today the addition of Harris Wofford to the speaker line-up. Mr. Wofford, a renowned citizen-service champion and advisor to Barack Obama’s presidential campaign on national service and civic engagement, will discuss the President-Elect’s service agenda at the evening’s ceremonies.

Mr. Wofford’s remarks will center on opportunities for the business community to engage in President-Elect Obama’s plan for service. The plan includes calling on all Americans to participate in civic, community, and international service; mobilizing elementary, secondary, and college students around opportunities to serve; building the capacity of nonprofit organizations to meet today’s needs and expand successful programs; expanding AmeriCorps from 75,000 to 250,000 slots; doubling the number of Peace Corps volunteers by 2010; and creating a service corps to meet the challenges of the environment, education and health. .

We can think of no one better to make this speech. Beginning with his military service during WWII, Mr. Wofford has served our country for more than 60 years, and has inspired others to do the same. He has worked with Martin Luther King, Jr., served as special assistant to John F. Kennedy, and helped Sargent Shriver organize the Peace Corps. He is credited with enabling the creation of both the Peace Corps and AmeriCorps.

From 1991 to 1995, Mr. Wofford served as a U.S. senator from Pennsylvania, a role preceded by his time as Governor Robert Casey’s Secretary of Labor and Industry. As senator, he co-authored the legislation to establish Martin Luther King, Jr. Day as a day of volunteer service. He went on to lead the Corporation for National and Community Service, the umbrella organization for AmeriCorps, until 2001. He also has participated on the boards of several organizations with which the business community partners, including America’s Promise, Malaria No More, the Points of Light Institute, and Youth Service America.

We’re thrilled about the way this year’s Awards Dinner is shaping up. Reviewing the nominations was an extremely difficult task for the judging panel – they are all worthy of winning! And clearly, our line-up of guests and presenters is helping us to make this the best Corporate Citizenship Awards program in BCLC’s history. I’ll post photos and videos after the Dinner, and of course, I’ll be back on Wednesday with details about the Awards winners. Visit our website www.uschamber.com/bclc/awards for more information.