Trudeau pays tribute, relates to Obama daughters

WASHINGTON (AP) — Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau paid tribute to President Barack Obama's daughters at their first state dinner, recalling how he grew up in the spotlight when his dad was prime minister and how he missed state dinners because he was too young.

"When I lived in Canada, Pierre Trudeau was my prime minister for 14 years and he's my hero," said actor Mike Myers, who sported a head of snow white hair for his first White House state dinner, the first for Canada in nearly 20 years.

More than 170 guests sporting tuxedos and designer gowns filed in for dinner in the East Room, which was transformed by the addition of cascading arrangements of blooming orchids, hydrangeas and amaranth in shades of green and white intended to evoke the coming of spring — much like Trudeau's election in October has ushered in a new season in Canadian politics.

Professional sports were represented by the U.S. hockey and basketball commissioners, along with retired NBA player Grant Hill and his wife, Tamia, a Canadian singer.

Adam Silver, commissioner of the National Basketball Association, contributed $3,500 to Obama's 2012 re-election campaign and $2,700 more recently to Hillary Clinton's 2016 presidential run.

First lady Michelle Obama turned again to one of her favorite designers, Jason Wu, who dressed her in a strapless midnight blue floral jacquard gown with asymmetrical draping.