The city of Davis Human Relations Commission is seeking nominations for this year’s Thong Hy Huynh Memorial Awards. The Commission will honor individuals and community organizations that have made significant contributions in addressing or improving civil and human rights issues in the community. The Commission encourages groups and individuals to submit award nominations prior to the deadline of Friday, April 15, 2011 at 4:00 p.m.
The award was established to acknowledge the racially motivated stabbing death of high school student Thong Hy Huynh on the Davis Senior High School campus in 1983. The annual awards recognize achievements in the areas of human and civil rights.
Nominations may be submitted in any of the following seven categories:
Humanitarian Award
Awarded to an individual for significant efforts in improving the quality of life for Davis residents. Nominees have directly addressed the needs of specific groups within the community in the areas of health, human services, housing or employment.
Young Humanitarian Award
Awarded to an individual in grades K-16 for significant efforts in improving the quality of life in Davis. Nominees have directly addressed the needs of specific groups within the community in the areas of human or civil rights or education.
Lifetime Achievement
Awarded for significant civil rights efforts over a long period of time while improving the quality of life in Davis. The recipient may be an individual or community organization that has promoted positive human relations in the community.
Civil Rights Advocacy
Awarded to an individual for significant efforts and achievement in speaking on behalf of those who have little voice, are unable to speak for themselves or cannot assert their civil rights.
Community Education and Awareness
Awarded to an individual or group for educational efforts in promoting positive human relations, civil rights, cultural awareness and peaceful means of conflict resolution. These efforts have increased awareness of and appreciation for differences in our multicultural community.
Excellence in Community Involvement
(Business or Professional Organization)
Awarded to a business or professional organization that has a record of significant efforts in promoting and practicing equal opportunity. This organization has contributed to community efforts that promote positive human relations and civil rights in Davis.
Peace Officer of the Year
Awarded to a Davis or Yolo County police officer who has displayed exceptional interpersonal skills under challenging circumstances. These efforts have resulted in effective conflict resolution or intervention and have promoted positive human relations in our multicultural and diverse community.
2010 recipients included the following:
- Humanitarian: Clara Robison for her work with Davis Community Meals and Grace in Action
- Young Humanitarian: Moriah Malot and Elizabeth Fund for their work to find out how and when children learn about race
- Lifetime Achievement: Joaquin Galvan for his work at UC Davis, specifically with Chicano/Latino students and youth
- Civil Rights Advocacy: Emily Henderson for her work to raise awareness about homelessness in Davis
- Community Education and Awareness: Cathy Speck because she is a positive, energetic advocate for civil rights, disability awareness and compassion
- Excellence in Community Involvement: Nu Alpha Kappa for their philanthropic efforts with minority youth in the Davis community
- Peace Officer of the Year: Officer Dan LaFond for his creative work with the community’s youth, particularly in his role as School Resource Officer
Award nomination forms may be obtained online at www.cityofdavis.org, at City Hall (23 Russell Blvd), Hunt Boyer House (604 Second Street), or by calling at (530) 757-5602. Nominations will be accepted through Friday, April 15.
