Oceana to Celebrate the Seas and Those Who Protect Them at Gala Event
Press Release Date: October 6, 2009
Location: Los Angeles
Contact:
Anna Baxter | email: abaxter@oceana.org
Anna Baxter
Oceana, a leading non-profit ocean advocacy group dedicated to restoring and protecting the world’s oceans, tonight will present its 2003 Oceana Partners Awards to Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton, Producer Brian Grazer and Director Ron Howard. In addition, the first ever Ted Danson Ocean Hero Award will be presented to famed ocean explorer Jean-Michel Cousteau. The four are being recognized for their enduring commitment to saving the world’s oceans.
The dinner ceremony is the first since the 2002 merger between Oceana and American Oceans Campaign, which was founded in 1987 by Ted Danson. Senator Clinton’s award will be presented to her by her longtime friend, Academy Award winning actor and activist Mary Steenburgen. Ron Meyer, President and COO of Vivendi Universal Entertainment, will present the awards to Brian Grazer and Ron Howard, while Jean-Michel Cousteau will receive the Ocean Hero Award from Oceana President Andrew Sharpless. The dinner will be emceed by comedian Bill Maher, host of HBO’s Real Time with Bill Maher.
“There are a few actions we can take today that will have a direct impact on our grandchildren’s lives – protecting our marine environment is one of those actions,” said Danson. “I am so grateful to this year’s honorees – Hillary Rodham Clinton, Brian Grazer, Ron Howard and Jean-Michel Cousteau – for their willingness to nurture and care for our oceans.”
“On behalf of Oceana and all those who are passionate about preserving the oceans, I want to thank tonight’s honorees,” said Sharpless. “Only through the dedication and compassion of individuals like these will we win this fight to save the oceans and to protect ocean wildlife.”
Oceana Partners Awards are given to individuals who have made significant contributions to preserving and restoring the marine environment, and whose stewardship has helped to ensure the vitality of the oceans for future generations. As a champion of conservation issues in the Senate and as former First Lady, Senator Clinton has been a steward of the environment and a leading advocate for ocean protection. Brian Grazer and Ron Howard have worked to promote public education on environmental issues and have consistently lent their support to government policy makers with favorable environmental records. Jean-Michel Cousteau, son of the famous ocean explorer Jacques Cousteau, is President and Founder of Ocean Futures Society, a non-profit marine conservation organization that fosters a strong conservation ethic for our oceans.
Co-chairs of the 2003 Partners Award Dinner include Former President William Jefferson Clinton, Marilyn and Jeffrey Katzenberg, Brittany and Richard Lovett, Kelly Chapman and Ron Meyer, Elizabeth and Jim Wiatt, and Joe Roth. The awards themselves are original designs by internationally renowned glass blower Dale Chihuly, and a team of nationally acclaimed chefs is preparing the food for the event, which will take place at the Century Plaza Hotel in Los Angeles.
Complete information about the dinner and Oceana is available at www.Oceana.org.
