Speeches
Click here for our full Speech playlist.
amfAR 2007 Award of Courage acceptance speech
Presented by Beyonce Knowles, accepted by Bill Roedy.
Speeches, Letters, and Appointments to Bill
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(2026) Roedy Rotunda ceremony speech by Brigadier General Shane Reeves ’96
Speech by Brigadier General Shane Reeves ’96 during the Roedy Rotunda naming ceremony at West Point USMA on May 5th, 2026.
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(2026) Roedy Rotunda ceremony speech by Superintendent LTG Steve Gilland
Introductory remarks by Superintendent LTG Steve Gilland during the Roedy Rotunda naming ceremony at West Point USMA on May 5th, 2026.
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(2021) West Point Distinguished Graduate Nomination Letter
Bill is awarded West Point Class of 1970’s Distinguished Graduate award in 2021. Read the nomination letter below.
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(2021) Bill appointed as Special Envoy by Gavi CEO Seth Berkley
Seth Berkley’s letter to Bill Roedy formalizing his new role at Gavi posted June 23rd 2021.
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(2018) Bill appointed by the Gavi Board as its new Vice Chair
Former MTVI CEO and HIV/AIDS advocate to help further protect millions of children from vaccine-preventable diseases. Read the official statement below from June 7th 2018 below.
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(2011) Letter from Philippe Dauman
In January 2011 Bill left Viacom. Read the farewell letter from Philippe Dauman below.
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(2011) Letter from Kofi Annan
Kofi Annan, United Nations Secretary-General (1997-2006), honors Bill Roedy for his contributions to global health.
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(2011) Honorary Doctorate Degree from Westminster College
Roedy received his honorary Doctorate Degree from the Westminster College in Kansas, Missouri on September 22, 2011. This is the same institution where the Green Lecture was given by Winston Churchill along with many esteemed speakers, including Roedy himself.
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(2011) Honorary Doctorate Degree from St. Thomas Aquinas College
Roedy received his honorary Doctorate Degree from st. Thomas Aquinas College on May 29th, 2011.
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(2010) Bill appointed as Alliance Envoy by Gavi Chair Mary Robinson
Mary Robinson, Chair of the Gavi Alliance Board, designates Bill as the foundation’s first ever Alliance Envoy.
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(2005) Youth Aids Global Launch Dinner Speech by Wyclef Jean
Wyclef Jean presents Bill Roedy with the 2008 Youth AIDS Corporate Citizenship Award
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(2004) Emmys Speech by Lenny Kravitz
Lenny honors Bill in a speech to present him with the 2004 Emmy Founder’s Award
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(1998) Bill appointed as UNAIDS Ambassador
In his capacity as Ambassador for UNAIDS, Mr. Roedy will work to generate support in the music and entertainment industries for HIV/AIDS programs worldwide and to keep HIV prevention messages figuring prominently in young people's media.
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(1996) Letter from Sumner Redstone
A letter from Sumner Redstone, then CEO of Viacom, on November 21st, 1996. Above is a rare photo of Viacom Executives Sumner Redstone, Bill Roedy, Mel Karmazin, and Tom Freston all together.
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Poem by Paige Jernigan
Bentonville investor Paige Jernigan writes heartfelt poem for Bill and his family called, “What Makes the Roedy's Rock?”
Awards and Recognition
1966 North Miami High School Record Track and Field
1974 13th Group - A-1-61 ( XO ) San Francisco Defense
1977 Recognition for Bill's service at the nuclear missile bases in Italy as part of NATO
1977 XXIV Corps Award for First Lieutenant Aide de Camp
1989 HBO farewell gift, commemorating his 10 years at the company
1989-2 Continental Cablesystems of California 1,000 Mile Club for Excellence In Customer Service. CCC was the largest cable operation in California at the time.
1989 MTV presented this to Bill to commemorate the fall of the Berlin Wall
1992 Astra partnership commemoration
1993 West Point Thayer Circle award
1995 Best Leader Award, MTV Japan
1996 MTV Europe Music Awards
1996 Cannes 15th Anniversary of MTV Records
2000 MTV National Leadership Pedro Zamora Award for Youth Advocacy
2001 Asian Television Awards
2001 Association of nurses in AIDS care ANAC Public Service Award
2002 MTV Asia Awards
2002 Video Music Awards Japan
1997 The Advertising Club Bombay - Valuable Contribution recognition
1999 Commemorating the success of the MTV Russia launch
2002-10-24 first MTV LatAm Video Music Awards
MTV Asia award
MTV Australia Kiwi Award Best Strut
2003 Reed Midem Person of the Year Award
2003 Midem Person of the Year note from Viacom
Sony Music congrats note to MTV
2003 MTV Video Music Awards
2004 Emmy Founders Award
2004 MTV Asia Awards
2005 MTV Base (Africa) 100th Channel Launch
2005 MTV Staying Alive Foundation Award
2005 One Drop Award for promoting clean water initiatives
2005 Commemorating MTV's successful partnership with CTV, a noteworthy accomplishment after many challenges
2006 MTV Base Best Leader Award
2006 BPI AGM from Peter Jamieson
2006-11-21 MTV Pakistan Launch
2006 MTV Mandarin Awards
2006 MTV Asia Awards Bangkok
2007 MTV Russia Movie Awards
2007-1-31 amfar award of courage
2008 Cable Positive congrats note Viacom
2008 Doctors of the World Health and Human Rights Leadership Award
2008-10 recognition of Bill Roedy as Consultant to Southern Media Corporation in China
2009 MTV Free Your Mind award
2009 UNCA congrats note from MTV
2009 Berlin wall anniversary plaque with Reagan quote
2009 30th Anniversary of Berlin wall fall - piece of the wall
2009 30th Anniversary of Berlin wall fall - piece of the wall
2009 UN Correspondents Association Global Citizen of the Year Award
2010 ICRW Award for Innovation
2010-5 United Nations Global Classrooms recognition of Bill's speech
2011 Best Global Character Nick Kid's Choice Awards
2010 MTV Staying Alive medal
2011 cinema for peace award for fighting aids
2011 Westminster Churchill Fellowship
2011-6-13 Cable tv Pioneer
2011-9-21 John Findley Green Lecturer Westminster College Symposium on Democracy VI
2011-9-21 Westminster Honorary Doctorate Degree
2011 Commemorating the 20th anniversary of MTV Israel
2012 Lessons For Life Foundation Humanitarian Award
2015 Induction Into the Cable Hall of Fame
2020 United States Department of State Professional Ethos
Bill's army decorations
British Airways Intl Airmiles award
2021-9-11 Distinguished Graduate Award
2024-11-10 Commemorative "Moonman" from the 30th anniversary of the MTV Europe Music Awards (EMAs). Only 250 were produced.
2026 Roedy Rotunda plaque at West Point US Military Academy's Jefferson Hall Library
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(2026) Roedy Rotunda Inauguration
The second-floor rotunda of West Point US Military Academy’s Jefferson Hall Library and Learning Center was dedicated as a permanent forum for intellectual exchange in honor of Bill Roedy ’70 and his father, Col. William H. Roedy ‘40.
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(2024) Churchill Leadership Medal
America’s National Churchill Museum and Westminster College salute Mr. Roedy’s tenacious spirit and Churchillian bravery, which served to tear down a wall while pioneering history in a new direction.
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(2023) Gift of Life Honoree
Alex and Bill Roedy were honored by Gift of Life Bone Marrow Registry for their contributions and commitment to the cause.
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(2021) Distinguished Graduate of West Point
The Distinguished Graduate Award (DGA) is to be given to graduates of the United States Military Academy whose character, distinguished service, and stature draw wholesome comparison to the qualities for which West Point strives, in keeping with its motto: “Duty, Honor, Country.”
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(2019) Playing for Change Legend Award
The Miami Gala is the premier Playing for Change fundraiser of the year. In 2019 they honored Bill with their Playing for Change Legend Award.
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(2015) Induction into the Cable Hall of Fame
The Cable Hall of Fame is widely accepted within the broadcast industry as the gold standard – it is the highest award of its kind to be bestowed upon the pioneers, visionaries and stars of the electronic arts.
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(2012) Lessons For Life Foundation Humanitarian Award
The Lessons For Life Foundation is a charity focused on providing education to children in developing nations, with a focus on Africa. They believe education is crucial for changing lives and helping individuals break the cycle of poverty.
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(2012) Chello Humanitarian Award
Mike Fries, CEO and Vice Chairman of Liberty Global, presented the award to Bill.
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(2011) First Envoy/Ambassador of GAVI
Bill Roedy worked closely with Chairs Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala (shown above) and Manuel Barosso. Mary Robinson, former President of Ireland and chair of the board of GAVI (Global Alliance for Vaccinations and Immunizations), asked Bill to become that foundation’s first envoy/ambassador, to help raise its profile. Click below to watch Bill’s clip encouraging full participation by the private sector in support of GAVI Alliance.
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(2011) Global Media AIDS Initiative Founding Chair
General Kofi Annan appointed Bill Roedy as founding chair of the Global Media AIDS Initiative Leadership Committee. The Global Media AIDS Initiative (GMAI) is an umbrella organization that unites and motivates media companies around the world to use their influence, resources, and creative talent to address AIDS.
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(2011) Induction into Cable Pioneers
Founded 44 years ago on the principle of preserving and celebrating the industry's entrepreneurial and innovative spirit. To be a Cable TV Pioneer, you must have a minimum of 20 years of direct involvement in the cable industry and during those years have made a meaningful contribution in building the industry.
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(2010) ICRW Innovation Award
Presented by Geeta Rao Gupta, ICRW President, in conjunction with 100th Anniversary of International Women’s Day, for Bill’s leadership of the Staying Alive HIV/AIDS public education campaign and its impact on young people.
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(2011) Cinema for Peace Awards
Presented during the Berlin Film Festival, for fighting HIV/AIDS through the Staying Alive Campaign by Lupita Nyong’o of the series Shuga.
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(2011) Honorary Doctorate Degree from St. Thomas Aquinas College
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(2011) Honorary Doctorate Degree from Westminster College
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(2009) UNCA Global Citizen of the Year Award
United Nations Correspondents Association (UNCA) Global Citizen of the Year Award, presented by Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon for his work in HIV/AIDS and for addressing key issues that affect young people around the world.
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(2008) Doctors of the World Health and Human Rights Leadership Award
In recognition of his extraordinary leadership in the cause of health and human rights, presented by Kelly Rowland.
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(2008) Cable Positive’s Joel A. Berger Award
The cable industry’s AIDS action organization, in recognition of his contributions to the fight against HIV/AIDS, presented by Wyclef Jean.
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(2007) amfAR’s Award of Courage
amfAR's awards are bestowed each year on select individuals in recognition of the vision, determination, and courage that mark them as leaders in the fight against AIDS. Presented by Beyonce Knowles in 2007.
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(2006) New York AIDS Film Festival Award
On December 1st 2006, The New York AIDS Festival hosted an Opening Night Red Ball Gala at the New York Public Library. Hosted by Alexandra and Vanessa Kerry, the Gala honored the efforts of noted HIV/AIDS activists, advocates, and decision-makers, including Bill Roedy.
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(2004) International Emmy Founders Award
International Emmy Founders Award for revolutionizing music on television and supporting the fight against HIV/AIDS around the world, presented by Lenny Kravitz.
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(2003) Midem's Person of the Year Award
Bill Roedy was the ninth person to receive the prestigious international accolade in Cannes. The trophy was created in 1989 by Reed Midem, to recognize outstanding music industry figures, and honor their lifetime of achievement.
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(2002) YouthAIDS Family Health International, and the Kaiser Family Foundation
YouthAIDS Family Health International, and the Kaiser Family Foundation, in recognition of his services to HIV/AIDS awareness.
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(2002) Award for Individual Business Leadership
Award for Individual Business Leadership as Chairman of the Global Business Coalition, an honor bestowed by US President Bill Clinton.
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(2001) Association of Nurses in AIDS care ANAC Public Service Award
This award recognizes an outstanding nurse who has taken on a major leadership role in HIV research, education, professional services or scholarly activities.
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(1993) West Point Thayer Circle award
For Bill’s outstanding support of the West Point US Military Academy