November 1, 2010, In Tribute to Ted Sorensen
(May 8, 1928 — October 31, 2010)

Roots of Peace Global Citizen Awardee 2009—“Turning Swords to Plowshares.”

Video: "America the Beautiful"...From Sea to Shining Sea...

Podcast: Ted Sorensen speaks at The Commonwealth Club of California on May 17, 2010

Ted Sorensen, Heidi Kühn, Gillian Martin Sorensen
Kühn Family Home Reception in Marin County, CA—May 2010

Theodore C. Sorensen, a close advisor and speech writer to President John F. Kennedy, has passed away at age 82 years young. Perhaps he is best known as the wordsmith who helped put Kennedy's ideas to paper in what remain some of the most recognizable speeches in American political history.

Kennedy—by Ted Sorensen

In May 2010, Ted Sorensen was a guest of Roots of Peace for a series of events sponsored by the Bank of Marin in San Rafael, California. The youngest top official in the Kennedy White House, Sorensen was an influential policy adviser and a presidential confidante.

Ted Sorensen's Speech, Kühn Family Home, Marin County, CA, May 2010

Sorensen was a special counsel and speech writer to Kennedy from 1961 to 1963, and participated in secret White House meetings during the Cuban Missile Crisis, according to the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library. Recently, Mr. Sorensen delivered a speech at the Kühn family home in Marin County, where the original Mines to Vines™ toast was made in September 1997 with a vision of turning “minefields into bountiful vineyards” worldwide. From the living room of a family home, Mrs. Gillian Martin Sorensen, former Assistant Secretary-General for the United Nations, brought this concept to The Honorable United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan and Mrs. Nane Annan, who helped turn “ideas into reality” through civil society and social entrepreneurial business concepts inspired over a dozen years ago.

Counselor: A Life at the Edge of History

Today, Roots of Peace works worldwide to replace the scourge of landmines with bountiful agricultural crops. In Afghanistan, Roots of Peace works in 28 of the 34 provinces, employs 500 Afghan farmers, and doubles/triples income to poppies by planting alternative high-value crops and providing export markets. The toast that was spawned in the living room of a Marin County home is now $60 million under contract in Afghanistan with funding from USAID, USDA, DOD, EU, ADB, The World Bank, foundations and private donors.

A native of Lincoln, Nebraska, Sorensen was born on May 8, 1928, and always maintained his “roots” of modesty, elegance and quick-witted mind. And, he lived a life of determination to keep America true to our highest ideals.

Cheryl Jennings, ABC7 News Anchor, Ted Sorensen, Heidi Kühn,
John Scopazzi—Surprise Ted with Happy 82nd Birthday!

Ted Sorensen and Cheryl Jennings, ABC7 News Anchor—reception at the Kühn family home

Ted Sorensen and Gillian Martin Sorensen share a joyful moment in Marin County,
where the vision of the UN began in 1945

Heidi Kühn and Ted Sorensen in the Kühn family living room where
the Mines to Vines™ toast was made in September 1997

Ted Sorensen receives an Honorary Law Degree from Dominican
University, with Gillian alongside—May 2010

Roots of Peace hosted Mr. Ted Sorensen who spoke at Dominican University Graduation—inspiring future generations. This is also where Heidi Kühn attended Dominican Garden School in November 1963 and was sent home after Sister Patricia Lyons called all the parents in to pick up their children due to the news that President John F. Kennedy was assassinated. This was “full circle” for Mrs. Kühn and Mr. Sorensen, as his words deeply inspired the heart of a five year old child.

Roots of Peace Delegation—Mayor Gavin Newsom's Office, San Francisco,
California, Ted Sorensen, Gavin Newsom, Gillian Martin Sorensen, Heidi Kühn, Noah Griffin

Mayor Gavin Newsom and Ted Sorensen—Bust of President John F. Kennedy
on the mantel as source of inspiration. Ted Sorensen personally signs his book,
“Counselor: A Life at the Edge of History”

The Roots of Peace Wishing Well at Grgich Hills Estate in Napa Valley, California

Ted Sorensen prepares to toss a penny into the Roots of Peace Wishing Well at the Grgich Hills Estate in Napa Valley, CA, with a special poem he was inspired to deliver with his legendary quick-wit in honor of Roots of Peace:

	Here's a penny for the family of Kühn
	May its lovely tribe increase!
	I am expecting very soon
	Great things for Roots of Peace

	–Ted Sorensen
	May 21, 2010

Croatian born Miljenko “Mike” Grgich, legendary vintner and winner of the 1976 Paris Tasting, has established this Penny Fountain at the entrance to his famous Napa Valley winery in tribute to our Mines to Vines™ initiative—turning minefields into bountiful vineyards.

The “Roots of Peace Pole”—Grgich Hills Estate, Napa, California

Heidi Kühn and Ted Sorensen—Roots of Peace Global Citizen Award,
Greenwich, Connecticut, October 2009

Heidi Kühn, Ted Sorensen, Gillian Martin Sorensen—Presentation
of Roots of Peace Global Citizen Award—turning Mines to Vines™

Gillian Martin Sorensen, Ted Sorensen, and Maria Luisa Reyes. Photo: Richard L. M. Reyes

The Honorable L. Scott Frantz, Connecticut State Senator, addresses Roots of Peace event in
Greenwich, Connecticut. Left to Right: Gary Kühn, Heidi Kühn,
Under Secretary-General Vijay Nambiar, Chef de Cabinet,
Ted Sorensen, Ambassador Joseph Verner Reed