BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. – Former Sen. George Mitchell of Maine has been selected by the newly formed Hospitaller Foundation of California Inc., to receive its first George J. Mitchell Peace and Humanitarian Award. Mitchell will be presented with the award at a gala event on Jan. 21, 2004, at the Regent Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Beverly Hills.

The event will feature Ed McMahon as master of ceremonies. John J. Boles will serve as the founding committee’s chairman, and Gov. John Baldacci of Maine will serve as chairman of the honorary committee.

Proceeds from the event will go toward completing the final phase of a 38-bed Alzheimer’s unit in the foundation’s St. John of God Retirement & Care Center in Los Angeles. The two-story facility will consist of studios and one- and two-bedroom apartments.

“It has been said that there is not a man, woman or child in the Capitol who does not trust George Mitchell,” said Boles. “I believe this is a testament to the senator’s character as much as it is to his tireless efforts to promote peace and humanity around the globe.”

The Hospitaller Foundation of California Inc. is a private organization formed to raise, receive and disperse funds to support the capital building fund and the patient care fund for the St. John of God Retirement & Care Center. The center is an essential and historic element of Southern California. It was founded in 1942 by the Hospitaller Brothers of St. John of God, a 500-year-old order of skilled nursing providers.

For ticket information regarding the awards dinner, call (323) 731-7141.