NIAGARA PEACE & DIALOGUE AWARDS 2010 "Honoring The HEREO.S of Chicago” Master of Ceremonies Allison Rosati News Anchor, NBC 5 News Co-Chair Patrick Quinn Governor, State of Illinois Niagara Foundation publicly recognizes outstanding achievements of those recipients who have distinguished themselves in their profession, time, energy, expertise and service to humanity. The awards are based on a variety of factors, including community service, education, community educational involvement, professional and community honors, business and professional leadership, media and educational honors. Ritz Carlton Chicago 160 East Pearson Street Chicago, IL M. Hilmi Cinar Associate Director hilmi@niagarafoundation.org 312-240-0707, ext. 109 |
COMMITMENT AWARD Deborah L. DeHaas Vice Chairman and Midwest Regional Managing Partner, Deloitte LLP LIFETIME LEADERSHIP AWARD Jesse White, IL Secretary of State MEDIA AWARD Chicago International Film Festival Received by Michael Kutza, Founder & Artistic Director FETHULLAH GULEN AWARD His Grace Bishop Demetrios of Mokissos Chancellor of the Metropolis of Chicago, Greek Orthodox Church |
The evening ran like a Who's Who in Chicago as we watched the 2010 Niagara Foundation Awards at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel. And as stated-as babies we all start out in peace and love and should strive to continue to. Peace begins with all of us, honoring each other as the award winners were honored this night. |
The His Grace Bishop Demetrios of Mokissos gave blessings to dialog, peace, tolerance, community service and understanding in the room. "We need it now more than ever," he stated. |
Celebrated Peace! |
Mutual understanding and respect! |
Working up from the depth of our beginning! |
How much higher we have to climb for togetherness! |
Not for the sake of ego but dedication to each other. |
Surpasses all understanding! |
| Greetings! As Governor of the State of Illinois, I am pleased to welcome everyone gathered for the Peace and Dialogue Awards 2010 presented by the Niagara Foundation. Since its inception in 1997, the Niagara Foundation has worked to promote a world where people from all walks of life interact to serve their communities. This service strengthens our society and highlights the importance of cooperation and teamwork. I would like to congratulate all those receiving awards at this evening'ss event. Each of you is being honored for your contributions of time, energy and leadership. Your dedication to peace, tolerance and community service in Illinois has made you deserving of this distinguished recognition. I thank you for your lasting contributions to the Land of Lincoln. On behalf of the people of Illinois, I offer my best wishes for an enjoyable and memorable event. Sincerely, Pat Quinn Governor |
| Dear members of the Niagara Foundation, award winners and guests: As the U.S. Congressman for Illinois' 14th Congressional District I am excited to welcome you to the 2010 Niagara Peace and Dialogue Awards. This event offers a wonderful opportunity for us to honor those individuals who have distinguished themselves and made valuable contributions to our community. The Niagara Foundation was established by Turkish-Americans as a way to build upon universal human values and forge lasting bonds between Turks and Americans. The Niagara Foundation regularly holds a number of events that serve these goals. Inter-cultural receptions, a lecture series and luncheon forums are among just a few examples of the events that are held. These events all serve the admirable goals of forging bonds between diverse individuals and communities, respecting and honoring diversity, strengthening civic life and increasing inter-cultural understanding, among others. Best wishes for an enjoyable event and congratulations to the winners of this year's awards. Sincerely, Bill Foster Member of Congress |
| Dear Friends: Greetings! It gives me great pleasure to welcome all of you to the 20010 Niagara Peace & Dialogue Awards. As you gather to honor the achievements of tonight's award recipients, you have an opportunity to celebrate the Niagara Foundation's mission of promoting global fellowship. The Niagara Foundation's award ceremony honors individuals and organizations that embody the values and ideas of the Niagara Foundation such as understanding, tolerance, respect and compassion. This foundation is strenthening the bonds between Turks and Americans by identifying our common goals and beliefs, by learning to appreciate and honor our differences, and by collaborating on mutually beneficial projects. These recipents have made significant contributions to the City of Chicago through community service, education initiatives, business and professional leadership, and community educatinal iinvolvement. I would like to confratulate all of the 2010 honorees and thank them for their time, effort, and leadership. Deborah DeHaas, Jesse White, the Chicago International Film Festival, and His Grace Bishop Demetrios of Mokissos. Again, I would like to extend my warmest wishes to all attendees for your dedication to the cause of dialogue, peace and understanding. Congratulations on all your work and achievements and I wish you best of luck in all your future endeavors. Very turly yours, Richard J. Durbin United States Senator |
| Your Grace Bishop Demetrios of Mokissos, Chancellor of the Holy Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Chicago, our beloved concelebrant in the Holy Spirit. Grace be to you and peace from God. Christ is Risen! We would like to sincerely congratulate you for being the recipient of the Fethullah Gillen Award, the highest honor of the Niagara Foundation at the upcoming Niagara Peace and Dialogue Awards. We truly appreciate your dedication to the goals of the foundation and applaud your unwavering commitment to promoting intercultural cooperation, mutual understanding and peace among our human family. It is our prayer that you may continue to labor for religious liberty, freedom and equality on behalf of your community and the Orthodox Church. May God bless and keep you. From our Historic and Venerable Sec, the holy Great Church of Christ, we convey to you once again our sincere congratulations and remain with much pleasure and honor. At the Ecumenical Patriarchase, the 26th of April 2010. Your Grace's Beloved Brother in Christ, Bartholomew Archbishop of Constantinople New Rome and Ecumenical Patrarch |
| Dear Friends, It is with great pleasure that I congratulate the Niagara Foundation as you celebrate the 2010 Niagara Peace & Dialogue Awards. The celebration is a great testament to the unwavering spirit of Turkish and American leaders who work so hard to establish universal human values and promote global fellowship. I applaud your dedication to strengthening bonds of continuing friendship between Turks and Americans. By learning to appreciate and honor our differences, and identifying what we have in common, we can develop a healthy dialogue. The state of Illinois draws its strength from diversity and your organization has contributed immeasurably to the richness of culture we presently cherish. The Niagara Foundation is essential to the future success of this great state and you are deeply appreciated. Once again I congratulate the Niagara Foundation and the Turkish=American community for organizing these awards that have shared Chicago's multicultural heritage. With all the wonderful events planned for this year's Awards I am confident everyone in attendance will have truly exciting and culturally enriching experience. I wish you continued success and good luck with your future endeavors. Sincerely, Roland W. Burris United States Senator |
FETHULLAH GULEN AWARD His Grace Bishop Demetrios of Mokissos Chancellor of the Metropolis of Chicago Greek Orthodox Church MEDIA AWARD Chicago International Film Festival Received by Michael Kutza, Founder & Artistic Director COMMITMENT AWARD Deborah L. DeHaas Vice Chairman and Midwest Regional Managing Partner, Deloitte LLP LIFETIME LEADERSHIP AWARD Jesse White, IL Secretary of State |