|
INTERNATIONAL RESCUE COMMITTEE
HONORS MICHAEL R. BLOOMBERG AND LIV ULLMANN
AT ANNUAL RESCUE DINNER
New
York, NY (November 3, 2017) --
The
International Rescue Committee hosted their annual Rescue Dinner
Benefit last night at the New York Hilton Midtown. The evening
honored Michael R. Bloomberg and actress and director
Liv Ullmann. The funds raised from the dinner will support
the organization’s lifesaving humanitarian work around the
world.
The
Freedom Award
is presented annually to individuals who have made extraordinary
contributions in support of refugees, and who have championed
the cause of liberty, individual freedom and dignity. This
year’s Freedom Award was presented to Michael R. Bloomberg for
his efforts to pioneer change on a global scale in the areas of
public health, arts and culture, the environment, education, and
government innovation. A bold and innovative entrepreneur,
philanthropist, and public servant, Mr. Bloomberg’s actions
continue to dramatically improve the lives of people around the
world.
“America has always opened its arms to the most vulnerable and
given them a chance to start anew. And in return, they’ve given
us back so much. Refugees have started companies and created
jobs, cured deadly diseases, and produced iconic art and
literature. They’ve bravely defended our country, and the
freedoms we all enjoy. New York City has benefitted from the
contributions of refugees more than any other place in America,
and maybe even the world. And so it’s fitting that this is the
home of the IRC, which really is making a big difference,” said
Bloomberg.
Liv
Ullmann received the John C. Whitehead Humanitarian Award.
This award was created in recognition of Mr. Whitehead’s
half-century of transformational leadership of the IRC and is
presented annually to individuals who embody Mr. Whitehead’s
spirit and passion for humanitarian causes and who have made
significant contributions to saving and improving lives around
the world.
Ms. Ullmann was recognized for her compassionate advocacy on
behalf of the world’s most vulnerable and for her contributions
to saving and improving lives of refugees and the displaced.
In
her acceptance speech, Ullman reflected on her ancestors who
were refugees, driven from their homes in Oslo during World War
II after her grandfather was targeted for helping Jewish
families escape danger in their own country.
“I
never got to meet my grandfather, but he inspired me anyway by
his model choice not to sit still,” Ullman said. “I am deeply
grateful to the IRC for showing us a path forward into the
future where all can be – and where no one can come up to
another and say, ‘You do not belong.’”
“Tonight’s record breaking funding will make a
difference around the world and across the United States – and
we are thankful for these funds tonight. But the truth is
these times ask us for more than money. These times ask us to
stand together in a common cause, and that cause is as old as
time. It’s as precious as life and its now being challenged and
contested like never before. It is the idea that all of us
have a duty to strangers and when we fulfill our duty, we make
them stronger and we make ourselves stronger too. That is the
credo of this organization,” said, David Miliband, President and
CEO of the International Rescue Committee.
The evening debuted a new IRC campaign
video featuring members of the IRC staff, David Miliband and
actor and comedian Keegan-Michael Key. The video features
“Luther” the anger translator, a character created by Key. The
video tackles the worsening refugee crisis head on – with the
goal of motivating a new audience to step up, and turn that
anger into action to help the IRC change millions of lives
around the world each year.
Other guests in attendance included: Meryl
Streep, Henry Kissinger, Tom Brokaw, Keegan-Michael Key, Brian
Roberts, Danny Boyle, Vicky Cornell and Praya Lundberg.
Recording artist K’naan took to the stage to perform
“Fatima” and “Wavin Flag.”
To
learn more about the Rescue Dinner please go to:
https://www.rescue.org/event/2017-rescue-dinner.
About the International Rescue Committee
The
International Rescue Committee responds to the world’s worst
humanitarian crises, helping to restore health, safety,
education, economic wellbeing, and power to people devastated by
conflict and disaster. Founded in 1933 at the call of Albert
Einstein, the IRC is at work in over 40 countries and 29 U.S.
cities helping people to survive, reclaim control of their
future and strengthen their communities. Learn more at
www.rescue.org and follow the IRC on Twitter, Instagram &
Facebook.
|