ACLU Foundation To Honor Civil Liberties Champions At Annual Torch of Liberty Awards Dinner, Monday, July 26, 2004
Monday, June 28, 2004
LOS ANGELES – On Monday, July 26, 2004, at 6:00 P.M., the ACLU Foundation of Southern California will host its annual Torch of Liberty Awards Dinner at the Regent Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Beverly Hills. The event honors individuals who have made significant contributions to the advancement of civil liberties.
This year's event will honor actor/activists Marg Helgenberger and Alan Rosenberg and Co-Chairman of Loeb & Loeb LLP, John T. Frankenheimer.
Marg Helgenberger and Alan Rosenberg are an inspirational couple. Their work on screen and their personal commitment to social activism off screen show a tremendous dedication to equality and justice. If you look at their careers in hindsight, one could argue that they have both actively pursued work that is not only rewarding as an actor, but also rife with socially relevant material. This is evidenced by Alan's impressive work on the legal dramas The Guardian and L.A. Law and Marg's award-winning work on China Beach and CSI: Crime Scene Investigation and her performance in Steven Soderbergh's widely acclaimed Erin Brockovich. Their activism is confirmed by their long-time support of the ACLU, their annual fundraiser for the cancer center at Jennie Edmunson Hospital in Council Bluffs, Omaha, and their involvement with organizations including Penny Lane, serving abused and neglected children; the Lili Claire/UNLV Life Skills Center, helping people with neurogenic disabilities; Huckleberry Fund for the Division of Adolescent Medicine at the Children's Hospital of Los Angeles; Diving for Life, International Gay & Lesbian SCUBA Jamboree and The Tuberous Sclerosis Alliance. We are proud to present them with the 2004 Torch of Liberty Award for their strong commitment to "liberty and justice for all."
Throughout John T. Frankenheimer's career, he has shown tremendous dedication to social issues central to the work of the ACLU, including artists' rights, children's rights, medical rights, immigrant rights and the rights of the homeless. As one of the preeminent attorneys for the
music industry, Frankenheimer has been able to direct resources toward important social issues. The pro bono work of Loeb & Loeb with the ACLU has included numerous cases that brought attention to important free speech issues: the rights of immigrant workers to organize and speak out against unfair employment practices, of homeless people to live without fear of harassment by the police, and of citizens to file complaints against police officers. The firm has also served as volunteer counsel to the ACLU in landmark litigation supporting non-discriminatory housing, minority voting rights, immigrants' rights, access to courtrooms and court records, the separation of church and state, and the rights of those subjected to abuse by federal law enforcement agencies. During Frankenheimer's tenure as co-managing partner, Loeb & Loeb established a child advocacy fellowship at New York's Lawyers for Children; the firm's commitment to child welfare is also reflected in its work with Habitat for Humanity to construct housing for low-income families in South Los Angeles. Frankenheimer's commitment to artists and their rights is evidenced by his active membership on the advisory board for the UCLA School of Law 's Entertainment Symposium, his involvement in the City of Hope's Music and Entertainment Industry Chapter, and his chairmanship of the Entertainment Law Initiative. We are proud to recognize John Frankenheimer for his commitment to the community, and for Loeb & Loeb's outstanding dedication to civil rights and civil liberties.
"The Torch of Liberty Award was created to acknowledge the contributions made by individuals from the media and arts & entertainment industry whose creative and sometimes daring work affirms the democratic principles that underlie the promise of 'liberty and justice for all,'" said Ramona Ripston, executive director of the ACLU/SC. "This year's honorees truly exemplify the spirit of the award. The work of Marg Helgenberger and Alan Rosenberg together with John Frankenheimer has had an immeasurable impact on civil liberties in this country and beyond."
The event takes place Monday, July 26, 2004 at 6:00 p.m., and will be held at the Regent Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Beverly Hills, 9500 Wilshire Blvd. Tickets start at $300, and all proceeds contribute to the ACLU Foundation' of Southern California's watchdog efforts. For additional ticket information call toll free: 877/225-8487.
Also expected to attend the event are: Danny Goldberg, Larry Flynt, Alan Poul, John Wells, Mayor of West Hollywood John Duran, Keith Carradine, John Sacret Young, Steven Bochco, William Petersen, and Debi Mazar.
Journalists interested in covering the event should contact the ACLU/SC Media Relations office at 213/977-9500 x.252.
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