Gingrich, Michel To Honor Hastert Tuesday Night

Former Speaker Newt Gingrich (R-Ga.) and Minority Leader Bob Michel (R-Ill.) will honor recently retired former Speaker Dennis Hastert (R-Ill.) Tuesday night during a dinner at the Ronald Reagan Building in downtown Washington.

Proceeds from the dinner will benefit programs at the J. Dennis Hastert Center at Wheaton College, his alma mater.

Hastert was in the House chamber Monday night to witness President Bush's final State of the Union speech. The dramatically trimmed down former speaker maintained a very low profile at the event. He slipped around the Capitol unaccompanied, surprising a former member of his security detail before the speech to say hello. And remember: He watched Bush's first five speeches from the rostrum just off the president's left shoulder.

Many members are expected to attend. And plenty of former denizens of Hastert-land will also be in the House to thank their old boss, including former Chief of Staff Scott Palmer, former Deputy Chief of Staff Mike Stokke and former communications aides John Feehery, Ron Bonjean and Lisa Miller. Former Republican Conference Chairman J.C. Watts (R-Okla.) is also expected to be there, according to one attendee.