WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.) will receive the 2015 Congressional Leadership Award in recognition of his work to raise awareness of human rights and support humanitarian initiatives around the world from Refugees International, a non-profit organization that advocates for life-saving protection for displaced and stateless people worldwide.
Sen. Coons has long been a supporter of the rights of vulnerable people worldwide and in 2014, he, along with Senator Mark Kirk (R-IL), launched the Senate Human Rights Caucus to raise awareness of global human rights abuses. The inaugural hearing focused on women, children, and religious minorities in Iraq and Syria who have been targeted and displaced by the terrorist group ISIS.
“I believe strongly that as the wealthiest nation on Earth, our ability to broaden our definition of neighbor to anyone who needs our help is at the core of who we are as Americans," said Sen. Coons. “Around the world today there are 51 million refugees and internally displaced persons, the most we’ve seen since World War II. The U.S. government continues to lead the world in extending humanitarian aid to those in need, and I am proud of that fact and proud to play a role in this crucial work. I also know we must do more, and we must be more effective. I look forward to facing that challenge. Thank you to Refugees International for this honor, but more importantly I want to thank Refugees International for the work they do on behalf of millions of suffering men, women, and children around the globe."
“Senator Coons’ commitment to human rights and efforts to give voice to the most marginalized is truly inspiring,” said Michel Gabaudan, President of Refugees International. “The creation of the Senate Human Rights Caucus is an important forum for shining a spotlight on human rights abuses and finding solutions to the world’s most pressing human rights issues.”
In addition to the honor for Senator Coons, journalist Maureen Orth is this year’s recipient of the organization’s highest honor, the McCall-Pierpaoli Humanitarian Award. The award recognizes those who have demonstrated extraordinary leadership and commitment to humanitarian action. The third honoree is Rohingya human rights activist Tun Khin from Myanmar, this year’s recipient of RI’s Richard C. Holbrooke Leadership Award, which is granted to a member of local civil society who has demonstrated an outstanding commitment to his or her community.
Senator Coons, Ms. Orth, and Tun Khin will be presented with their awards at Refugees International’s 36th Anniversary Dinner on Tuesday, April 28 at the Mellon Auditorium in Washington, D.C.
About Refugees International:
Refugees International is a non-profit organization that advocates for life-saving protection for displaced and stateless people worldwide and accepts no government or UN funding. For more information, visit www.refugeesinternational.org.