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Poster by Christie Pedder of West Springfield High School in Fairfax County, Virginia, who received a Citation for Excellence in the 2003/2004 First Freedom Student Competition.
Courtesy Christie Pedder
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First Freedom Awards Dinner Fact Sheet
First Freedom Awards
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WHO: The mission of the Council for America's First Freedom is to build on a historic legacy of religious freedom that began in Richmond, Virginia in 1786, developed into an American constitutional guarantee and is recognized as an international human right. Through educational programs in diverse communities here and abroad, we promote understanding and respect for this core value: the freedom of thought, conscience and belief.
The Council for America’s First Freedom is a politically and religiously neutral 501(c)(3) organization.
WHAT: The First Freedom Awards Dinner honors the winners of the International, National, and Virginia First Freedom Awards. These honors are bestowed by the Council to individuals who are extraordinary advocates of religious freedom and who have made remarkable contributions locally, nationally and internationally. On occasion the Distinguished Service Award will be presented to an individual for an exceptional contribution toward promoting religious freedom. The event provides funds to support educational programming, including the First Freedom Student Competition.
WHERE: The Jefferson, 101 West Franklin Street, Richmond, Virginia
WHEN: Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Reception 6:00 p.m.
Dinner 7:00 p.m.
WHY: Religious freedom was first protected by law in this country when the Virginia General Assembly voted in favor of Thomas Jefferson’s Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom in 1786. The statute later became part of the First Amendment to the United States Constitution. This is an enduring legacy, with ideals as compelling today as they were then. It is a fragile freedom that continues to be defined by legislatures and by courts and that each generation must protect and hand down to the next. The Council’s mission and programs uphold the belief that religious freedom is an essential human right that should be understood and appreciated by all Americans and indeed, all citizens of the world, regardless of educational level, faith background, economic status, nationality, age or gender. To continue to protect the concept of religious liberty, it is imperative to educate teachers and students at all instructional levels about its importance and worth. A strong emphasis on educational programming therefore is the cornerstone of the Council’s initiatives, including celebration of National Religious Freedom Day, the First Freedom Awards, the First Freedom Student Competition, Framing the Debate, and a religious diversity training program currently in development for corporations and academic institutions. The challenges and opportunities posed by religious liberty in public life today are, of course, not only America's. Through the First Freedom Awards, the Council encourages progress by recognizing those who are working tirelessly for religious freedom around the world.
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