.
2009 Abraham Lincoln Awards
Illinois Council Against Handgun Violence Honors Illinois Senate President John Cullerton With Prestigious Abraham Lincoln Award At 27th Annual Benefit
.
The Illinois Council Against Handgun Violence (ICHV) honored Illinois Senate President John Cullerton with the prestigious Abraham Lincoln Award at its 27th anniversary awards benefit. Sen. Cullerton was honored for his commitment to reducing gun violence in Illinois, his stellar leadership and tenacity in passing the gun show loophole in the state in 2005, and stopping the gun lobby’s irresponsible agenda to permit the carrying of hidden and loaded guns in public places. Sen. Cullerton’s lengthy public service career spanning nearly 30 years as a state representative and now as President of the State Senate is a testament to how a political leader can advocate and fight for the safety and quality of life not just for his own constituents but on behalf of the entire state.
“The state of Illinois is fortunate to have a leader such as Sen. Cullerton who understands the human costs of gun violence and knows that gun deaths are preventable through sensible and effective policy,” said Thom Mannard, Executive Director of the Illinois Council Against Handgun Violence. “We congratulate Sen. Cullerton on receiving this well-deserved honor.”
The Lincoln Awards is an event to honor individuals who have shown great courage in the fight to reduce gun violence. Past Lincoln Award honorees include President Bill Clinton, Senators Ted Kennedy, Diane Feinstein and Richard Durbin, Chicago’s own Mayor Richard M. Daley and New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan, and Education Secretary and former Chicago Public Schools CEO Arne Duncan among other distinguished recipients.
This year ICHV awarded its Citizen Advocacy Award to Father Michael Pfleger, pastor of St. Sabina’s Church. Father Pfleger, a survivor of gun violence whose foster son Jarvis Franklin was killed in 1998 has battled every single front of the gun violence issue. Pfleger protests gun dealers who sell scores of firearms later used in crimes, such as Bell’s Guns which eventually closed its doors and was a target of a civil disobedience effort to block the entrance along with Rev. Jesse Jackson. Pfleger also responds immediately when a student is gunned down on the streets and organizes a community march to bring attention to the gun violence crisis in Chicago. He consistently speaks about the moral necessity to put the health, safety and life of our children and citizens over the profits of the gun industry.
“There is not a more passionate advocate for ending gun violence than Father Pfleger,” said Thom Mannard. “He’s seen as a respected voice and a unifier in Chicago saying we can in fact save lives – we can solve this problem if we just changed our priorities.”
ICHV also honored three Illinois leaders with the 2009 Legislative Advocacy Award. Congressman Bobby Rush (1st district), also a survivor of gun violence, his son Huey was shot and killed in 1999 continues to advocate for comprehensive solutions to gun violence. Rush is a sponsor of the of the “Blair Holt Firearm Licensing and Record of Sale Act of 2009,” legislation named after a teen who was shot and killed on a CTA bus while protecting a girl from gunfire by another young man. State Senator Heather Steans (7th district) successfully passed a landmark anti-domestic violence bill (HB3991) that revokes and denies FOID cards from individuals who are served an order of protection. Finally, Oak Park Village President David Pope has been a stalwart defender of his community’s life-saving handgun ban along with Chicago and has pledged that regardless of the looming Supreme Court decision next summer, Oak Park is committed to enacting sensible and effective policies to reduce access to guns.
.
.
.
2008 Abraham Lincoln Awards
26th Annual Abraham Lincoln Awards Honored Chicago Public Schools CEO Arne Duncan and Others
On Tuesday, October 7th, ICHV presented Chicago Public Schools CEO Arne Duncan with the prestigious Abraham Lincoln Award for his outstanding work to reduce gun violence. Arne Duncan has been a longstanding proponent of reducing gun violence throughout his career, and he has been working within the Chicago school system to help make schools and communities safer for students and their families. He and others were honored at this invitation-only event at the Ritz Carlton Hotel in Chicago.
The Abraham Lincoln Award honors individuals who have shown great political and personal courage in the fight to reduce gun violence. Past Lincoln Award honorees include mayors and other city officials, members of the Illinois legislature, members of Congress, U.S. Senators, and a U.S. President.
This year marks the 25th anniversary for the ICHV Abraham Lincoln Award, named for an Illinoisan who had the courage and conviction to work for change in our society. Abraham Lincoln was one of our greatest presidents, but tragically was a victim of gun violence. Choosing a recipient worthy of receiving an award bearing Lincoln’s name is never easy. We look for individuals who, through their dedication and actions, show the courage to effect change on gun violence prevention issues. Honorees share our vision to reduce the death and injury caused by gun violence, and they help us achieve that vision through their outstanding efforts.
.
