Senator Patrick Leahy, Karen Narasaki, Gara LaMarche, and Harry Belafonte to Be Honored by Nation???s Premier Civil and Human Rights Coalition
The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights announced today that it will honor Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Asian American Justice Center President and Executive Director Karen Narasaki, The Atlantic Philanthropies President and CEO Gara LaMarche, and civil and human rights activist and artist Harry Belafonte at its annual Hubert H. Humphrey Civil and Human Rights Award Dinner on May 12, 2010.
“This year, as we celebrate the 60th anniversary of The Leadership Conference, it’s our privilege to honor four remarkable individuals who in their distinct fields have demonstrated passion and great leadership in protecting the civil and human rights of all Americans,” said Wade Henderson, president and CEO of The Leadership Conference.
“As a legislator, Senator Leahy has been a dedicated and principled champion of social justice throughout his 35 years in Congress. As an advocate, Karen Narasaki is a guiding light in the fight for equality and an indispensible ally to The Leadership Conference. In the philanthropic community, Gara LaMarche has been a catalyst in strengthening nonprofit organizations with a focus on social and economic justice. And Harry Belafonte, of course, needs no introduction as an artist and activist – he continues to be a beacon for civil and human rights, and a powerful voice for social justice.”
“In the spirit of our award’s namesake, our honorees have answered Senator Humphrey’s exhortation to embrace civil rights and to ‘walk forthrightly into the bright sunshine of human rights.’ “
The Leadership Conference’s 34th annual dinner will bring together a Who’s Who of the social justice community – national civil and human rights leaders, members of Congress, executive branch officials, business leaders, educators, and the next generation of civil and human rights advocates.
Past recipients of the Hubert H. Humphrey Civil and Human Rights Award have included President Bill Clinton, FDIC Chairperson Sheila Bair, veterans and disability advocate Tammy Duckworth, historian John Hope Franklin, labor leader Dolores Huerta, civil rights icon Julian Bond, housing advocate Patricia Rouse, journalists Tom Joyner, Ellen Goodman, and Soledad O’Brien, as well as elected leaders Ted Kennedy, John Conyers, Barbara Jordan, John Lewis, and Connie Morella.
The awards dinner, the nation’s largest gathering of the civil and human rights community, will be held at the Hilton Washington (1919 Connecticut Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C.). Ticket and sponsorship information are available at lcprd.actbot.co/dinner/2010/or by calling (202) 466-3311.
About the 2010 Hubert H. Humphrey Civil and Human Rights Award Honorees:
Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT) has served in the U.S. Senate since 1974 and has a long record of advocacy for social and economic justice. On a wide range of issues, including education, criminal justice, jobs, workers’ rights, environmental justice, hate crimes, civil liberties and a fair and independent judiciary, Senator Leahy’s efforts have mirrored the values and mission that lie at the heart of The Leadership Conference. His efforts to create the Judiciary Committee’s Subcommittee on Human Rights and the Law have led to increased Congressional action regarding advancement and enforcement of our nation’s human rights commitments.
Karen K. Narasaki, President and Executive Director of the Asian American Justice Center (AAJC), is a principal advocate for the rights and interests of Asian Americans and a leading voice for equality and equal justice for all. As Vice Chair of The Leadership Conference and Chair of the coalition’s Compliance and Enforcement Committee, she oversees The Leadership Conference task forces and has played a leading role in national and international discussions regarding the convergence of civil and human rights issues. A tireless advocate for common-sense immigration reform, voting rights and equal opportunity, she is held in the highest regard throughout the philanthropic and social justice communities.
Gara LaMarche, President and CEO of The Atlantic Philanthropies, is widely recognized for charting a course for the philanthropic community that addresses social and economic justice here in the U.S. and throughout the world. As Vice President and Director of U.S. Programs at the Open Society Institute, his groundbreaking efforts championed a new model of philanthropy in bridging the conversation on civil rights protections and human rights. He has been a steadfast proponent of racial equity in society at large and within the corridors of the social justice community. His vision for organizational structure has assisted the nonprofit community in building systems that can ensure progress in advancing equality.
Harry Belafonte is as well-known for his pursuit of social justice as he is for his artistic talent. His initiatives in overturning racial barriers throughout society are highly acclaimed. He served as a confidant to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., helped to organize the March on Washington in 1963, raised funds to free imprisoned civil rights protesters, and has been a powerful voice for voting rights. The driving force behind the 1985 “We Are the World” project, Mr. Belafonte was named a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador in 1987. He was an outspoken opponent of apartheid and is known for his long-standing advocacy for the people of Haiti. He remains a relentless champion of human rights efforts in the U.S. and throughout the world