At the Al Smith charity dinner on Thursday, Comedian Jim Gaffigan jested about former President Donald Trump's Hollywood Access tape while Trump and his wife, former First Lady Melania Trump, were also in attendance. Gaffigan was merely keeping up with tradition, as is customary at the annual Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation Dinner, a white-tie event in New York City.
The event is an annual occurrence held in honor of its namesake, the forty-fifth and forty-seventh governor of NY. Al Smith, who grew up in poverty, was also the first Roman Catholic to run for president in 1928. The goal is to generate funds for Catholic charities that fall under the umbrella of the Archdiocese of New York, which in turn aid children of all kinds and needs, a nod to Smith's childhood.
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Who is Al Smith? Learn more about the governor who worked in a fish market
As the National Governor's Association indicates, Smith was never given a proper education because his father died early. A young Smith assumed the responsibility of his family and began working at a fish market at the age of fourteen. He made his foray into politics in 1903 and held a role in the New York House of Representatives for 12 years.
A member of the Democratic nominee, Al Smith served from January 1, 1919 - January 1, 1921, and from January 1, 1923 - January 1, 1929. He also had stints as the 8th President of the New York City Board of Aldermen, the Sheriff of New York County, and a New York State Assembly member from New York County's 2nd district.
During his tenure, women's and children's labor regulations were eased, and the workmen’s compensation law was altered for the better. He championed the construction of a vehicular tunnel between New York and New Jersey and encouraged waterpower development.
Notably, Smith lent his talents to the development of the Empire State Building. He was subsequently christened president of Empire State, Inc., the corporation that oversaw the day-to-day activities of the new site. During his time as governor, he was an ardent activist in favor of adequate housing, improved factory laws, improved care of the mentally ill, child welfare, and state parks.
Gov. Al Smith died on October 4, 1944. The following year, Cardinal Francis Spellman initiated the first of many annual dinners to commemorate his death.
About 16 years later, the annual event had become a "ritual of American politics," as Theodore H. White put it. The event's significance lies in that it is the last time the two major party presidential candidates meet before the imminent election.
Jim Gaffigan was referring to the audio tape on which Trump can be heard boasting to Access Hollywood correspondent Billy Bush that he could do what he wanted with women, given his status as a celebrity. The audio, which dates back to 2005, was published by The Washington Post in 2016—merely a month before Trump became President.
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