[Archived] Alexandria Human Rights Commission Seeks Submissions for Student Human Rights Awards

City Press Release


	For Immediate Release	For More Information, Contact
	May 4, 2007 PIO# 109-07/rdo	Steve Mason, Director of Communications, at 703.838.4300 Raynard Owens, Communications Officer, at 703.838.4300

Alexandria Human Rights Commission Seeks Submissions
for Student Human Rights Awards
Deadline for Submissions is May 25

The Alexandria Human Rights Commission is seeking submissions for the Student Human Rights Awards. The Commission will present up to three Student Human Rights Awards to recognize students who have significantly contributed toward improving basic human rights and fairness for all in the City of Alexandria. City Council will recognize the students’ achievements in June, and each student will receive a commemorative plaque and a monetary award.

Members of the Human Rights Commission met with staff at T. C. Williams, Bishop Ireton, St. Stephen’s and St. Agnes, and Episcopal high schools; the Commonwealth Academy; and the Northern Virginia Community College’s Alexandria campus to invite high-school juniors and seniors and first-year community college students to submit an essay and letter of recommendation. The essay and letter of recommendation should showcase a student’s or student group’s contributions during the current academic year toward promoting cooperation and understanding across racial, cultural, religious, or ethnic lines, or promoting respect, equality, and a greater understanding between genders or for persons with disabilities.

Submissions must be mailed or delivered to the Director of the Office of Human Rights, 421 King St., Suite 400, Alexandria, VA 22314, by the close of business on Friday, May 25, 2007.

City Council created the Alexandria Human Rights Commission in 1975 to advise Council members on matters related to human rights that affect the City and to oversee the Office of Human Rights.

The Office of Human Rights oversees the Alexandria Human Rights Ordinance, which precludes discrimination based on race, color, gender, religion, ancestry, national origin, marital status, familial status, age, sexual orientation, or disability.

For more information on the Student Human Rights Awards, call Jean Niebauer, Director of the City’s Office of Human Rights, at 703-838-6390 or e-mail jean.niebauer@alexandriava.gov.

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