Andrew Prazuch, Deputy Director, AILF
202-371-6450 x625
aprazuch@ailf.org

LILLIAN VERNON, MIDORI AMONG
OUTSTANDING IMMIGRANTS HONORED BY
IMMIGRATION LAWYERS IN NEW YORK CEREMONY

WASHINGTON, D.C. ¾ The American Immigration Law Foundation (AILF) will present entrepreneur Lillian Vernon, concert violinist Midori and three other outstanding individuals with the "New York Immigrant Achievement Award." The other honorees include a leading Haitian-born author, a Canadian-American operatic soprano, and an Indian-born gay rights activist.

All five will be honored at an award program, held at 7:00 p.m on Monday, December 11 at the Marriott World Trade Center. Soledad O’Brien, co-anchor of NBC’s “Weekend Today,” will serve as the Master of Ceremonies. The honorees will be: Lillian Vernon, entrepreneur; Edwidge Danticat, author; Midori, internationally renowned concert violinist; Teresa Stratas, lyrical soprano; and Urvashi Vaid, gay rights activist. Soledad O’Brien, co-anchor of NBC’s “Weekend Today,” will serve as Master of Ceremonies. For more information on the honorees or Master of Ceremonies, see the Foundation’s Web site (http://www.ailf.org/notable/iaa/ny2000/).

“We are pleased to salute the achievements of immigrants in general, and these five individuals specifically. The honorees demonstrate that one of the things that makes the United States a great nation is our ability to bring in people from diverse cultures and use their talents to benefit society. For example, Edwidge Danticat, Midori, Teresa Stratas, Urvashi Vaid and Lillian Vernon have made dramatic contributions in the literature, the performing arts and business. They also contribute to the community through education, charitable and pro-bono endeavors,” said Margaret McCormick, AILF’s President.

“The immigrant achievement awards are particularly pertinent at the start of the new millennium, as we contemplate our history as a nation of immigrants and look forward to our future,” McCormick said.

The American Immigration Law Foundation, founded in 1987, is 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to increasing public understanding of immigration law and policy and the value of immigration to American society; to promoting public service and excellence in the practice of immigration law; and to advancing fundamental fairness and due process under the law for immigrants. 

If you wish to interview the honorees or attend the ceremony, contact Andrew Prazuch, Deputy Director, at 202-371-6450 X 625.

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