2010 Hubert H. Humphrey Civil and Human Rights Award Dinner
Honoring Sen. Patrick Leahy, Karen Narasaki, Gara LaMarche, and Harry Belafonte
The 2010 Hubert H. Humphrey Civil Rights Award Dinner was held on May 12, 2010 in Washington, D.C.
This 2010 dinner was particularly special, as it marked the 60th anniversary of The Leadership Conference and its decision to honor the legacy and the foresight of its founders by fully incorporating the term “human rights” into its name so as to recognize the central importance of both concepts to the coalition’s work.
More About the 2010 Dinner
Senator Patrick Leahy, D. Vt.
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 activity around the advancement and enforcement of our nation’s human rights commitments.
Karen K. Narasaki
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 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 commonsense immigration reform, voting rights and equal opportunity, she is held in the highest regard throughout the philanthropic and social justice communities.
Gara LaMarche
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
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 longstanding advocacy for the people of Haiti. He remains a relentless champion of human rights efforts in the U.S. and throughout the world.