Jolie eloquently and passionately reminded everyone that the United States was founded by refugees. "One of America's most inspiring symbols is the Statue of Liberty," she said. "She is the Mother of Exiles with her promise of refuge to the world's tired, poor, to those huddled masses yearning to breathe free, she welcomed millions of 'new Americans' over the years."

She also reminded the audience that there are millions of refugees whose futures are still uncertain: "World Refugee Day is the day we make sure they aren't forgotten."

Later that evening, Paul Rusesabingina, Terry George and UNHCR's Craig Sanders chaired a question-and-answer panel following a special screening of Hotel Rwanda. One of the audience members asked Rusesabagina how he found his courage to save over 1,200 Rwandans during the genocide, to which the Rwandan replied: "I remained who I was and did not follow the majority. The majority is not always right. Whoever kills knows that killing is never right."