U.S. Ambassador to Israel Richard Jones held a reception at his official residence in honor of Shimon Peres' six decades of public service, culminating in his election as President of Israel. The dinner reception was punctuated by a slide show retrospective of President Peres' career. The Ambassador also surprised the President with a birthday cake in honor of his 84th birthday, which Peres celebrated on August 16, and gave him a personal letter of congratulations from U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, who congratulated him on his birthday and "lifetime of distinguished leadership and commitment."

* Remarks at Reception in honor of President Shimon Peres August 23, 2007

In these photos President Peres is blowing the candle on the birthday cake. Photo credit: Matty Stern/U.S. Embassy Tel Aviv