Asian Americans Advancing Justice | AAJC Announces Honorees For 2016 American Courage Awards
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Asian Americans Advancing Justice | AAJC Announces Honorees
For American Courage Awards
Vanita Gupta, Ghazala and Khizr Khan, Jimmy Ferguson, and The Walt Disney Company Recognized at Advancing Justice | AAJC’s 25th Anniversary Celebration
WASHINGTON, DC – Asian Americans Advancing Justice | AAJC (Advancing Justice | AAJC) announced today its honorees for the 2016 American Courage Awards on Thursday, October 6, 2016 at The Capital Hilton. Vanita Gupta, Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General of the Civil Rights Division at the U.S. Department of Justice, will receive the American Courage Award in honor of her extraordinary commitment to the protection of civil rights and her leadership in advancing criminal justice reforms.
This year, Advancing Justice | AAJC will present a special President’s Award to Gold Star parents Ghazala and Khizr Khan, recognizing their family’s service and sacrifice for our nation and the courage with which they stood up for civil rights in the face of anti-Muslim and xenophobic vitriol in today’s political discourse.
The evening’s Master of Ceremonies, Emmy-Award-winning journalist Juju Chang, will accept the Bridge Builder Award on behalf of The Walt Disney Company. Disney is being recognized for its commitment to sharing stories that reflect diverse Asian American and Pacific Islander communities and experiences, including the new movie Moana about an adventurous Polynesian teenager who sails out on a daring mission to save her people. Long-time community activist and McDonald’s Corporation franchise owner, Jimmy Ferguson, will receive the Changemaker Award for his extraordinary commitment to the Asian American business community and his leadership in the establishment of the Asian/Pacific Islander American Chamber of Commerce and Entrepreneurship.
“Asian Americans Advancing Justice | AAJC has much to celebrate from its 25-year history,” said Mee Moua, president and executive director of Advancing Justice | AAJC. “Our organization has been a powerful voice in fighting for opportunity, equality, and policies that protect the civil and human rights of Asian Americans. Advancing Justice | AAJC will continue our fight until we have a fair and just society for all Americans.”
Since 1996, Advancing Justice | AAJC has hosted the American Courage Awards whose past American Courage Award honorees have included: The Honorable Eric H. Holder (2015); Lt. Dan Choi (2010); Professor Eric K. Yamamoto (2008); Major General Antonio M. Taguba (2005); George Takei (1999).
Event details:
Location: The Capital Hilton, 1001 16th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20036
Reception: 5:30 pm in the Congressional Senate Ballroom
Dinner: 6:30 pm in the Presidential Ballroom
Additional information about the event and the awards is available here.
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