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Senior
Minister Turns 80
First
telecast: 18 September 2003 on Channel NewsAsia
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It
was a gathering of the influential; decision makers and opinion
leaders. Nearly 1,000 guests, all relatives, friends and colleagues
of Senior Minister Lee Kuan Yew. Even the man in the street: grassroots
leaders and workers. The occasion -- his 80th birthday.
They
also included men who stood by his side during the founding of the
People's Action Party in 1954.
A medley
of eight songs of different genres, played by Lee Huei Min, one
of Singapore's best and brightest musical talents, kick started
the evening.
 The
occasion also marked the launch of the fundraising effort for two
projects -- the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, and a documentary
on the History of Singapore.
Prime
Minister Goh Chok Tong paid tribute to the Senior Minister. This
was followed by the Senior Minister's response -- at times touching
and emotional.
A book
-- a collection of 80 quotes from the Senior Minister over the years
-- was painstakingly put together with the help of the Senior Minister's
granddaughter.
And
what birthday celebration would be complete without a birthday song
and cake?
 In
this instance, it was also the first time that two of Singapore's
brightest musical talents, songbird Stefanie Sun and violinist Lee
Huei Min -- from the opposite ends of the musical spectrum -- shared
the stage in a special tribute.
Ms
Sun sang "We Will Get There" to round off the entertainment
for the evening.
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He
is a really unique leader. He brought prosperity
to Singapore.
