In 1987, I.M. Pei and Henry Kissinger attended a black tie event where Kissinger discussed with Pei the notion of organizing an influential group of Chinese Americans to address issues of international concern between the United States and China. This was the inception of the Committee of 100.
Bio:
Henry A. Kissinger served as U.S. Secretary of State (1973-1977) and National Security Advisor (1969-1975). At present, Dr. Kissinger is Chairman of Kissinger Associates, Inc., an international consulting firm. He is also a member of the International Council of J.P. Morgan Chase & Co.; a Counselor to and Trustee of the Center for Strategic and International Studies; an Honorary Governor of the Foreign Policy Association; and an Honor Member of the International Olympic Committee. He has served as a member of the Defense Policy Board, Department of Defense, since 2001. His academic career included appointments as a member of the faculty of the Department of Government and the Center for International Affairs at Harvard College, where he became associate director in 1957. He received a Bronze Star from the U.S. Army in 1945 and was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1973, the US Medal of Freedom in 1977, and the Medal of Liberty in 1986.