Ellis Island Medal of Honor

The Ellis Island Medal of Honor is an American award founded by the Ellis Island Honors Society (EIHS) (formerly known as the National Ethnic Coalition of Organizations (NECO)), which is presented annually to American citizens, both native-born and naturalized.[1][2]

Ellis Island Medal of Honor
Awarded forIndividuals who have made it their mission to share with those less fortunate, their wealth of knowledge, indomitable courage, boundless compassion, unique talents and selfless generosity. They do so while acknowledging their debt to their ethnic heritage as they uphold the ideals and spirit of America.
LocationEllis Island
CountryUnited States
Presented byEllis Island Honors Society (EIHS)
First awarded1986
Websitewww.eihonors.org
Ribbon of the medal

The Medal recognizes — in the organization's words —

individuals who have made it their mission to share with those less fortunate, their wealth of knowledge, indomitable courage, boundless compassion, unique talents and selfless generosity. They do so while acknowledging their debt to their ethnic heritage as they uphold the ideals and spirit of America.[3]

Past medalists include U.S. presidents, world leaders,[4] Nobel Prize winners, and other leaders of industry, education, the arts, sports and government, along with everyday Americans.

Process

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EIHS was founded in 1984, and the medals were established in 1986. A ceremony is held each May on Ellis Island.[5] All branches of the United States Armed Forces traditionally participate. Both the United States House of Representatives and United States Senate have officially recognized the Ellis Island Medals of Honor, and each year's recipients are read into the Congressional Record.[6] The Ellis Island's Great Hall where immigrants were once processed hosts the gala dinner and ceremony. Approximately 100 medalists are honored each year.

Notable medalists

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Notable medalists include:[7]


References

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  1. ^ "About Us". Ellis Island Honors Society. Retrieved July 21, 2018.
  2. ^ "Global Hotelier, Abdul Suleman, Awarded 2014 Ellis Island Medal of Honor". BusinessWire. June 17, 2014. Retrieved April 21, 2015.
  3. ^ National Ethnic Coalition of Organizations (March 2, 2017). "The Ellis Island Medals of Honor". neco.org. Archived from the original on March 2, 2017. Retrieved May 20, 2024.
  4. ^ "Prince Albert of Monaco Honored at Ellis Island, With Rita Moreno and Larry Gagosian". Observer. May 14, 2018. Retrieved June 15, 2019.
  5. ^ Congressional Record, V. 148, PT. 3, March 11, 2002 to April 10, 2002. U S Congress. April 9, 2002. p. 4038. ISBN 9780160760778.
  6. ^ "Congressional Record – 111th Congress (2009–2010) – THOMAS (Library of Congress)". Thomas.loc.gov. Archived from the original on January 7, 2016. Retrieved June 16, 2014.
  7. ^ "Ellis Island Medal of Honor Database". Ellis Island Honors Society. Retrieved June 25, 2022.
  8. ^ Ellis Island Medal of Honor - Victor Borge (1986) on eihonors.org
  9. ^ Historical Dictionary of Denmark. Thomas, Alastair H. Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, p. 74 Biography of Victor Borge, ISBN 9781442264656 Victor Borge on Google Books
  10. ^ "Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 84 (Wednesday, June 6, 2012)". GPO. Retrieved December 15, 2015.
  11. ^ "Ellis Island Medals of Honor Awards Ceremony". Congressional Record Online. Government Publishing Office. June 22, 1999. Retrieved May 9, 2016.
  12. ^ "The Laugh Factory and Jamie Masada, No Laughing Matter". Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved March 31, 2016.
  13. ^ Congratulations to our 2018 Ellis Island Medal of Honor Recipients Archived September 9, 2018, at the Wayback Machine, eihonors.org
  14. ^ "The 22nd Annual Celebration of the International Day of Older Persons "Longevity Shapes the Future"" (PDF). United Nations NGO Committee on Aging. October 10, 2012. Retrieved January 17, 2016.
  15. ^ "Liberty Dialysis Physicians Fahim Rahim and Naeem Rahim to Receive Ellis Island National Medals of Honor for Their Contribution to Achievements in Dialysis and Kidney Care". Reuters. Archived from the original on April 19, 2015. Retrieved April 19, 2015.
  16. ^ "Alumni Henry Samueli and Reza Rofougaran Awarded the Ellis Island Medal of Honor | UCLA Samueli School Of Engineering".
  17. ^ "Reza Rofougaran Receives the Ellis Island Medal of Honor in 2020". www.businesswire.com. May 7, 2020.
  18. ^ "Alumni Henry Samueli and Reza Rofougaran Awarded the Ellis Island Medal of Honor | UCLA Samueli School Of Engineering".
  19. ^ Aswad, Jem (May 13, 2019). "Universal Music's Will Tanous Receives Ellis Island Medal of Honor". Variety. Retrieved August 12, 2019.
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