The program opened with a ceremonial invocation led by Albert Gray Eagle.
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John Pettyjohn introduced himself as the son of an undocumented immigrant. A proud Marine (retired), Mr. Pettyjohn described his volunteer work in support of his fellow veterans -- including serving on a suicide intervention team.
Father Paul Zahler, OSB, PhD, presided over the Human Rights Day program. Father Paul is the founder / director of the National Institute on Developmental Delays at St. Gregory's University in Shawnee.
Our award winners are from all over the state of Oklahoma -- Tulsa, Oklahoma City, Norman, Yukon, Grove, Henryetta, Chickasha, McLoud. They represent the diversity of our great state.
Sarah Adams-Cornell was honored for her efforts and the efforts of other Native American leaders to replace Columbus Day with Indigenous Peoples Day.
When Isaac Caviness spoke to the audience about his efforts to petition for change in Oklahoma's drug laws, supporters in the gallery raised a banner in support of their initiative.
Tina Peña is a host of “Temas en Tulsa,” a television program that covers current events and crucial topics of importance to Spanish speaking and English speaking viewers. She was honored at our program. She is shown here sitting in the audience with her father, an immigrant from Peru.
Members of the Gallegos Family received an award given in memory of their husband and father, Sergio Gallegos. On Facebook, a reader who attended the Human Rights Day Awards program wrote: "I was particularly moved by the work of indigenous peoples in Oklahoma and the immigrants who came to the U.S. with nothing but hope, and have managed to educate their children and then turn to help others. One family whose parents came from Mexico with seven children now have seven kids with Associate's Degrees, five with Bachelor's degrees, two with Master's, and one Juris Doctorate. Over and over again, we heard how people from Mexico, Peru, India, and other parts of the globe came here seeking a future for themselves and their children, and worked hard to achieve that -- and then became citizens, humanitarians and advocates who make our state and nation better by being here." |
See More Photos taken by the Legislative Photographer:
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/a61rp2yvk92hz6c/AAAfLPlqsK9kPmWpv2SacHaia?dl=0
Acknowledgements
The Oklahoma Universal Human Rights Alliance gratefully acknowledges the contributions of our supporters and co-sponsors, including:The Oklahoma City chapter of the United Nations Association of the USA
Dedicated to informing, inspiring, and mobilizing the American people to support the ideals and vital work of the United Nations
Santa Maria Virgen Episcopal Church
Oklahoma City
Following the program at the State Capitiol, participants enjoyed a delicious lunch at Santa Maria Virgen Episcopal Church. (Photo courtesy: Otilia Fuentes) |
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Representative Richard Morrissette
District 92 - Oklahoma City
WOW! What an honor to be among humanitarian people like you! Let's remember that we don't do this alone.
ReplyDeleteGood site.
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