Former President Jimmy Carter Receives Inaugural 'Louis E. Martin Great American' Award at Joint Center Annual Dinner

4/17/2003

From: Liselle Yorke of the Joint Center, 202-789-6366, lyorke@jointcenter.org

WASHINGTON, April 17 -- Though never one to seek the limelight, when advising Presidents Kennedy, Johnson and Carter, Louis E. Martin was the key African American who worked behind the scenes to influence major legislation and appointments that improved the lives of America's minorities. Now, six years after his death, his legacy is being recognized by the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies, which he helped to found and whose board of governors he chaired from 1970 to 1979. On April 14, at its annual dinner, the Center presented the inaugural "Louis E. Martin Great American" Award to former president Jimmy Carter in recognition of his lifelong work in fostering the democratic principles of equality and human rights.

Audiocast from dinner available on Joint Center's Web site: http://www.jointcenter.org

In accepting the award, President Carter, who was unavoidably absent, said in a letter that was read at the dinner: "This honor is especially meaningful to me because it represents the living legacy of a remarkable man. Louis claimed the respect and affection of everyone with whom he came into contact in Washington and around the country." Former Ambassador Andrew Young received the award on Carter's behalf.

Widely known as the "godfather of black politics," Martin started out as a crusading journalist who combined his civil rights and "New Deal" energies to galvanize black voters. "Louis Martin will best be remembered for his pragmatism and commitment to 'drawing a bigger circle' in addressing the issues of the day affecting disadvantaged communities and the wider American public," said Eddie N. Williams, president of the Joint Center, whom Martin recruited from the University of Chicago to head the organization in 1972.

Martin's intimate partnerships with black leadership both inside and outside the political mainstream made him invaluable to the Kennedy and Johnson administrations at the height of the civil rights movement. Later, Carter invited him to join his own administration, and openly credited Martin with helping him appoint more blacks to federal judgeships "than all of the other presidents in history together."

"The 'Louis E. Martin Great American' Award, which will be presented annually, honors men and women who embody Martin's legacy of political resourcefulness, coalition building in the pursuit of equality, and brilliance in policy formation," said Joint Center board chairman Elliott Hall, who observed first-hand some of Martin's crusading journalistic efforts in Detroit.

The Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies, a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization, conducts research and analyses on public policy issues of concern to African Americans and other minorities, promotes their involvement in the governance process, and operates programs that create coalitions within the minority, business, and other diverse communities. For more information, visit http://www.jointcenter.org.

Editors' Note: Contact Liselle Yorke for JPEG images of award presentation.