Ellis Island Medal of Honor | |
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Awarded for | 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. |
Location | Ellis Island |
Country | United States |
Presented by | Ellis Island Honors Society (EIHS) |
First awarded | 1986 |
Website | www |
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]
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.
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 include: [7]
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The Ellis Island Honors Society (EIHS) is a United States 501(c)(3) organization whose mission is to honor and preserve cultural diversity and to foster tolerance, respect and understanding among ethnic groups. The EIHS was founded in 1984 as the National Ethnic Coalition of Organizations (NECO) and adopted its current name in 2017. The EIHS awards the "Ellis Island Medal of Honor" to naturalized or native-born American citizens "who preserve and celebrate the history, traditions and values of their [ethnic heritage] while exemplifying the values of the American way of life".
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