I’m pleased to invite you to an incredibly special event: the LIRS Walk of Courage Award Dinner to mark World Refugee Day.
The Baltimore event, featuring CNN journalist and keynote speaker Brenda Bush-Weeks, will take place Wednesday, June 19 and honor the journey that refugees worldwide have taken from harm to safety, as well as their leadership in their communities and on Capitol Hill. More than 150 guests from the Baltimore, Washington, D.C., and southern New Jersey areas are expected to attend.
I will use the occasion to present the Walk of Courage Award to Lt. Cmdr. Chris Phan in recognition of his extraordinary accomplishments as a Vietnamese refugee, member of the U.S. armed forces, successful attorney, elected official, and advocate for refugee protection. The dinner will also honor more than 20 other former refugees who are flying in to Washington, D.C. for visits with congressional offices, and will commemorate the late Senator Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ), creator of an amendment bearing his name that facilitates access to refugee status for people fleeing religious persecution.
The United Nations established World Refugee Day as an annual June 20 event to honor the courage, strength, and determination of women, men, and children who are forced to flee their homes under threat of persecution, conflict, and violence.
Here are the details. Please share them with your friends, family, and colleagues. We’d love to see you there!
- WHAT: Walk of Courage Award Dinner honoring refugees.
- WHO: More than 20 former refugees who are now American community leaders and refugee advocates; Linda Hartke, President of Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service; Brenda Bush-Weeks, CNN Journalist; Lt. Cmdr. and Garden Grove, CA Councilman Chris Phan, recipient of the Walk of Courage Award; Checago Bright, CEO of the Checago Bright Foundation; more than 200 guests.
- WHEN: Wednesday, June 19, 7PM – 9PM
- WHERE: 21st Floor of the World Trade Center, 401 E. Pratt Street, Baltimore, MD, 21202
Tickets are $30 and can be purchased either online at https://www.lirs.org/walkofcourage/, by calling (410) 230-2755, or by sending a check addressed to Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service – Walk of Courage Award Dinner, 700 Light Street, Baltimore, MD, 21230. A photo ID will be required at the door of the event.
I believe that everyone who comes to the Walk of Courage Award Dinner will be moved by the strength and spirit of the leaders of America’s refugee communities. Please join me for an unforgettable evening!