Olender Foundation salutes national leaders

Washington, D.C.- In a town where you can find an awards ceremony on any given night of the week, those attending the 23rd Annual Olender Foundation Awards at the Ronald Reagan Building on December 9, were greeted by surprise guest star, Danny Glover. The renowned actor and humanitarian activist received a long, standing ovation from the packed amphitheater audience prior to presenting the Foundation's Advocate for Justice Award to Congressman John Conyers, Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee.

Conyers has distinguished himself as a leading voice in the Congressional Black Caucus and a champion of civil rights and universal health care. The congressional jazz aficionado was feted with a half hour pre-show concert "John Conyer's Coltrane." Debra Tidwell and Greg Twombley and his Washingtonians did the musical honors.

D.C. Mayor Adrian M. Fenty kicked off the show by welcoming the enthusiastic audience and praised the Olender Foundation and its president, Jack Olender, for their philanthropic efforts. Among the hundreds of guests were community leaders, judges, lawyers, and journalists.

Generous Heart Award recipients Ed and Patricia Leahy were recognized for their outstanding legacy to their son, The Edward Leahy, Jr. Endowment, which promotes research and care innovations for people with disabilities in need of long-term care and therapy.

Dr. Alfredo Quinones-Hinojosa, one of the nation's leading brain cancer surgeons and president of the Brain Cancer Research for a Cure Foundation, received a heartfelt introduction from patient Don Rottman, who suffers from a terminal form of brain cancer. In his introduction, Rottman recounted the story of how, 20 years ago, Dr. Quinones came to the U.S. from Mexico in his teens as an undocumented farm worker.

"A relative of Dr. Q once told him that he would never be more than a field hand," said Rottman. "There is no shame in such work, but how grateful I am he became the outstanding surgeon we honor tonight. God bless his determination, his clarity of purpose, and his steady hand." Dr. Quinones was presented with the America's Role Model Award and a grant was made in his honor to the Brain Cancer Research for a Cure Foundation.

Iraq war veteran Corporal Wesley Leon-Barrientos received the Olender Foundation's Unsung Hero Award, for providing a beacon of hope to fellow injured soldiers. Cpl. Leon lost both of his legs when his vehicle was struck by a roadside bomb while serving in Iraq in December 2007.

Six students each from Howard University Law School and the University of the District of Columbia David A. Clarke School of Law received scholarships in memory of the late Earl H. Davis, an attorney who championed for the ordinary people.