American University of Beirut and the Phoenician Ship Museum.

We are so fortunate the Captain Philip Beale did what he did in the Old World. Hundreds of thousands of people in the Old World know his seafaring adventures.

We are working on the details for the Lebanese Reception at the Phoenician Ship Museum for July 14th and 15th. Lebanon is on our mind. This reception will be the next step in the development and growth of our project on the banks of the mighty Mississippi.

Today we are putting our attention on the American University of Beirut. The University is a leading school of higher education in the Middle East. There are 8,000 students. The University has an operating budget of $423 million with an endowment of approximately $768 million.

The campus is composed of 64 buildings, including the American University of Beirut Medical Center, four libraries, three museums and seven dormitories.

Almost one-fifth of the students have attended secondary schools or universities outside Lebanon. Graduates from the University reside in more than 120 countries worldwide. The language of instruction is English.

The best part of this story is that the University knows Captain Philip Beale and the importance of the Pheonician Ship Replica in Montrose, Iowa.

Look at this presentation that Captain Beale made at the University.

There are many Lebanese friends in America who are coming to see the Phoenician Ship Replica in July. We are making our best preparations for their visit.

Every visitor will have a chance to work on the restoration of the ship. We will have a program rich in the traditions of the people from Lebanon. We will also introduce to the Lebanese the songs and dances of Native Americans.

This will be a great and joyous event.