Joint Center to Present 'Louis E. Martin Great American' Award to Vernon E. Jordan, Jr.; Special Tribute to Joint Center President Eddie N. Williams

4/5/2004

From: Liselle Yorke of the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies, 202-789-6366 or lyorke@jointcenter.org, Stephanie Matlock Maynor, 202-530-4531 or stephanie_maynor@wash.bm.com

WASHINGTON, April 5 -- Civil rights champion and lawyer, Vernon E. Jordan, Jr., will receive the second annual "Louis E. Martin Great American" Award from the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies at its annual dinner on April 21. Named for a Joint Center co-founder and the first chairman of its board of governors, the award honors Jordan's lifelong commitment to justice and equality. The dinner will be held at the Hilton Washington and Towers (1919 Connecticut Avenue, NW, Washington, D.C.) at 7:30 p.m. Jordan will also deliver the keynote address.

"Throughout his career Vernon Jordan has been a key advocate for civil rights and equality for all American regardless of race or social status," said Joint Center president Eddie N. Williams. "He epitomizes the very spirit of Louis Martin, and we are therefore pleased to present him with this award." Jordan worked closely with Martin, sociologist Kenneth Clark and other black leaders to establish the Joint Center in 1970. He also served on its board of governors from 1990 to 2000.

At the dinner, there will also be a special tribute to Eddie Williams who will be stepping down in December. During his 32- year tenure, Williams transformed the center from a training institute for black politicians to a research organization that focuses on political participation, economic empowerment, health policy, and international affairs.

Jordan gained national attention when he escorted Charlayne Hunter (now CNN South Africa bureau chief Charlayne-Hunter Gault) through an angry mob of whites as she successfully desegregated the University of Georgia in 1961. He later led the Southern Regional Council's voter education project to register blacks and headed both the United Negro College Fund and the National Urban League. He is widely credited with developing the league's research and information distribution capability, including a policy journal and the annual "State of America" reports. Jordan returned to law in 1981 as a partner at Akin, Gump, Strauss, Hauer and Feld, and in 2000, became managing director at Lazard Frhres & Co. LLC. His advocacy on behalf of disenfranchised Americans continues, and in 2001, he joined with First Lady Laura Bush, former senator Bill Bradley and Children's Defense Fund president Marian Wright Edelman to launch the second annual "Close the Book on Hate" campaign.

The inaugural "Louis E. Martin Great American" Award was presented last year to former president Jimmy Carter. Widely known as the "godfather of black politics," Louis E. Martin served as an advisor to presidents Kennedy, Johnson and Carter. The Joint Center's award recognizes achievement in coalition building across racial and ethnic lines and commitment to promoting issues that benefit not only disadvantaged groups, but the entire nation.

Alan J. Lacy, chairman and CEO of Sears, Roebuck and Company, is leading this year's fundraising charge for the center as its national dinner chair. Other key sponsors include American Express, Citi Cards, DaimlerChrysler Corporation, Electrolux Home Products, General Motors Corporation, The Hillman Company, Johnson Controls, Inc., Michelin Tires, Inc., Riggs National Corporation, Xerox, and Whirpool Corporation. Marie C. Johns, former president of Verizon Washington, D.C., is the general dinner chair. Chicago Tribune syndicated columnist Clarence Page will serve as master of ceremonies. Adding to the celebration will be the renowned Sears Associate Gospel Choir.

For ticket information, contact the Joint Center's Annual Dinner office at 202-789-6393, (toll free) 1-866-558-2736 or annualdinner@jointcenter.org.

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.