Washington, DC (March 15, 2003) - Val J. Halamandaris, president of the National Association for Home Care & Hospice, will be in good company on May 17 when he is slated to receive the prestigious Ellis Island Medal of Honor. The National Ethnic Coalition of Organizations, charged with choosing Americans who have made a unique contribution in service to the public, has selected a pantheon of individuals, some recognizable and others unknown, who deserve the commendation of their fellow Americans. They come from every profession, every state, and every walk of life.
Former House of Representatives Speaker Jim Wright and New Jersey Governor James McGreevy headline the list of winners from the political realm. While the award heretofore has been confined to Americans, British Prime Minister Tony Blair has been named to join this year’s exclusive list of honorees.
Thomas Coughlin, President and CEO of Wal-Mart Stores and Sam’s Clubs USA, Robert G. Miller, Chairman and CEO of Rite Aid, Inc. Seymour Sternberg, Chairman and CEO of New York Life Insurance and David Komansky, Chairman of Merrill Lynch were selected from the world of business. The hospitality industry is represented by Elaine Kaufman, owner of Elaine’s Restaurant in New York and Pano Karatassos, owner of Pano and Paul, one of Atlanta’s most famous bistros.
CBS News/60 Minutes senior correspondent Mike Wallace and Francis X. Comerford, President and General Manager of WNBC represent the television industry.
Michael Bolton, Ben Vereen, and actor, Danny Aiello represent the entertainment field along with film producer/director Martin Scorsese.
Olympic great Mary Lou Retton, race car legend Andy Granatelli, and Lou Lamoriello, CEO of the New Jersey Devils and New Jersey Nets represent the world of sports.
Commander Carlos Del Toro, Head of U.S. Naval Forces; Dennis Leary, founder of the Leary Firefighters Foundation; and John J. Flynn, President of the International Union of Bricklayers, were also selected.
Halamandaris was selected in the category of philanthropy along with Henri Landwirth, Founder of Give Kids the World, the Orlando-based organization which takes terminally ill children and their families on a week long all expense paid trip to Walt Disney World.
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