WASHINGTON, DC -- The President and Mrs. Clinton are hosting his Excellency Flt. Lt. Jerry John Rawlings, President of the Republic of Ghana and Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings, at a White House State Dinner on Wednesday, February 24, 1999. President and Mrs. Agyeman-Rawlings will arrive at the North Portico at 7:15 p.m.

Guests will be received by the President and Mrs. Clinton, and President and Mrs. Agyeman-Rawlings in the Cross Hall of the White House. Following the receiving line, the President and Mrs. Clinton will escort President and Mrs. Agyeman-Rawlings into the East Room for dinner.

The tables in the East Room will be set with Eisenhower gold base plates; the Franklin Delano Roosevelt china will be used for service. Kennedy Morgantown crystal and gold flatware from the Vermeil Collection will be set on deep green-colored damask tablecloths. Bamboo containers from the Vermeil Collection will be filled with flowering quince branches, pink ice protea, cream and red roses, white lilacs, rose colored tulips and dendrobium orchids and will be surrounded by gold taper candles in gold candlesticks.

Following the dinner, guests will be entertained in the East Room with the contemporary jazz music of Najee.

STATE DINNER ENTERTAINMENT IN THE EAST ROOM:

Najee Saxophone and Flute

The phenomenal reedsmith Najee has introduced a generation of music lovers to a contemporary jazz sound that is truly his own. The multi-talented musician began exploring his interest in music at a young age while growing up in Queens, New York, and gives much credit to his childhood community in which music was an integral part of everyday life.

His skills on the saxophone and flute showcase the artistry that has thrust him into the limelight of adult contemporary, rhythm & blues, and jazz venues over the last twelve years. With his career marked by many distinguished achievements, Najee takes center stage, not only with original compositions, but also with fresh interpretations of timeless melodies.

Najee's formidable talents have afforded him the opportunity to work with such music legends as Quincy Jones, Stevie Wonder, Al Jarreau, and Patti LaBelle. Most recently, he gave a remarkable performance in South Africa commemorating the birthday of President Nelson Mandela.

Morning Tenderness, his latest CD, has topped the contemporary jazz charts, captivating listeners with an irresistible sound and incomparable expressiveness. Najee continues to climb toward a peak of soulful mastery, providing an unforgettable glimpse into his dynamic musical personality.

OFFICIAL GIFTS

PRESIDENT CLINTON'S GIFT TO PRESIDENT RAWLINGS:
The official gift for President Rawlings from President Clinton on the occasion of his State Visit to Washington is a hand-crafted sterling silver cachepot from Tiffany & Co. The piece features an etched border design inspired by a cornice found in the East Room of the White House and a floral design taken from the Green and Red Rooms of the White House. The flower in the center is a dogwood blossom, a tree frequently found in the President's home state of Arkansas. The cachepot was designed exclusively as a gift for President Clinton to present for the State visit. The Presidential Seal is engraved on the bottom of the silver piece.

MRS. CLINTON'S GIFT TO MRS. AGYEMAN-RAWLINGS:
The official gift for Nana Agyeman-Rawlings from Mrs. Clinton is a Cheryl Williams' sculptured bowl with 24 karat gold textured interior accompanied by an autographed copy of the White House Craft Collection.

OFFICIAL DELEGATION GIFT:
The official gift for members of the Argentine delegation is a Tiffany & Co. silver-plated round tray with an inscription commemorating President Rawlings' State Visit to Washington.

PRESIDENT RAWLINGS' GIFT TO PRESIDENT CLINTON:
The official gift to President Clinton from President Rawlings is a traditional Ashanti Stool.

PRESIDENT RAWLINGS' GIFT TO MRS. CLINTON:
The official gift to Mrs. Clinton from Mrs. Agyeman-Rawlings are three traditional framed Ghanaian cloths and a traditional necklace.

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