WASHINGTON DC - Refugees International (RI) is pleased to announce that former Governor Bill Richardson and Senator Patrick Leahy will be honored at the organization’s 32nd Anniversary Dinner on May 5th at the Mellon Auditorium in Washington, DC. The evening will also feature a special tribute to the late Ambassador Richard C. Holbrooke, along with the inaugural presentation of an award in his honor to Amina Hersi Ali.

“It is a privilege to honor these individuals for their dedication and support to vulnerable people around the world,” said Michel Gabaudan, President of Refugees International. “The inauguration of the Richard C. Holbrooke Award for Leadership also gives us the opportunity to pay tribute to Ambassador Holbrooke as a leading voice on humanitarian issues, and a key figure in helping to make Refugees International the organization that it is today.”

Refugees International board member Sam Waterston will serve as the gala’s master of ceremonies. As part of the evening, CNN’s Wolf Blitzer will conduct an interview with Governor Bill Richardson on his humanitarian work.

Bill Richardson, the former Governor of New Mexico, will receive the organization’s highest honor, the McCall-Pierpaoli Humanitarian Award. The award will be presented by RI board member HM Queen Noor of Jordan. It recognizes those who have demonstrated extraordinary leadership and commitment to humanitarian action. Throughout his long political career, Bill Richardson has worked tirelessly to improve the lives of people both at home and abroad.

Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT) will be presented with RI’s Congressional Leadership Award in recognition of his long-standing leadership on behalf of the world’s most vulnerable people.  As Chairman of the Judiciary Committee, Senator Leahy introduced the Refugee Protection Act of 2010. The legislation propelled Congress into an overdue dialogue on shortcomings in US refugee resettlement and asylum laws. And in his role as Chairman of the Appropriations Subcommittee on the Department of State and Foreign Operations, Senator Leahy has consistently supported essential funding for international humanitarian aid.

The inaugural Richard C. Holbrooke Leadership Award will be presented to Amina Hersi Ali for helping thousands of refugees and disadvantaged people access basic health care and receive treatment for sexual and gender-based violence in Nairobi, Kenya. The award recognizes those in local civil society who are the unsung heroes of oft-neglected displacement crises. It is a tribute to Ambassador Holbrooke’s spirit as a great American statesman, consummate diplomat, and true humanitarian. Ambassador Holbrooke was a former RI board member, and served as the organization’s chair from 1996 to 1999.

The evening takes places at the Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium on 1301 Constitution Avenue, NW in Washington, DC. A VIP Reception begins at 5:30 pm with the dinner and program at 7:00pm.

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Refugees International is a Washington, DC-based organization that works to bring an end to refugee crises. It receives no government or UN funding. For more information, go to: http://refugeesinternational.org/anniversary-dinner

For Immediate Release: March 31, 2011
Contact: Dara McLeod +1 (202) 540 7025
dara@refugeesinternational.org