The World Bridge Federation Committee of Honour

The WBF Committee of Honour was formed in 1972 for the purpose of recognising the unselfish efforts of individuals in making a significant contribution to the enhancement and growth of bridge throughout the world.

Nominations to the Committee must be made by a minimum of three members of the WBF Executive Council from three separate Zones. Election to the Committee requires an affirmative vote from three-quarters of the Executive Council members, the detailed requirements being set out in article 3.3 of the By-Laws. Nomination may only be made in even numbered years. The Committee of Honour may not exceed eleven living members.

When the Committee was formed in 1972, only three persons received the required nominations and votes. They were: Geoffrey L. Butler (GB), Waldemar von Zedwitz (USA) and Charles L. Solomon (USA).

In 1974 the then WBF President, Julius Rosenblum (USA), was unanimously elected whilst Albert Morehead (USA) and Baron de Nexon ( France ) were posthumously elected.

In 1976 Ben O. Johnson (USA) and André Lemaitre ( Belgium ) were elected to the Committee.

In 1978 there were two more nominations, each receiving the unanimous support of all six Zones at that time represented on the Executive Council, as a result of which General Alfred M Gruenther (USA) and Jaime Ortiz-Patiño ( Spain ) were elected.

In 1984 three more persons were elected: Richard L. Goldberg (USA), Nils E. Jensen ( Sweden ) and Edgar Kaplan (USA).

In 1986 Robert Howes (USA) and Ernesto d'Orsi ( Brazil ) were elected.

In 1988, José Damiani ( France ) was elected.

In 1994 Robert S. Wolff (USA) was elected

In 1998, in Lille Jean-Claude Beineix (France), Mazhar Jafri ( Pakistan ) and John Wignall ( New Zealand ) were elected

In 2002, in Montreal , Joan Gerard (USA), Panos Gerontopoulos ( Greece ) and George Retek ( Canada ) were elected.

In 2004, in Istanbul, following the death of Nils Jensen, Gianarrigo Rona (Italy) was elected.

Following the death of Charles Solomon, Julius Rosenblum, Ben Johnson, André Lemaitre, General Gruenther, Waldemar von Zedwitz, Geoffrey Butler, Edgar Kaplan, Richard Goldberg, Robert Howes and Nils Jensen, the living members of the Committee of Honour are, as follows:

* Jean-Claude Beineix
* José Damiani
* Joan Gerard
* Panos Gerontopoulos
* Mazhar Jafri
* Ernesto d'Orsi
* Jaime Ortiz-Patiño
* George Retek
* Gianarrigo Rona
* John Wignall
* Robert S. Wolff

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