Conyers to Receive 2008 LCCR Hubert Humphrey Award

(Washington, DC)- House Judiciary Committee Chairman John Conyers, Jr. (D-MI) is being honored at tonight's Leadership Conference on Civil Rights (LCCR) 2008 Awards Dinner with the Hubert H. Humphrey Civil Rights Award, presented every year to celebrate the legacy of the former vice president, senator and civil rights pioneer. Conyers is one of three individuals to receive the LCCR's highest honor this year.

"I am truly proud and honored to be a recipient of the Hubert H. Humphrey Civil Rights Award," Conyers said. "I applaud the tireless efforts of the LCCR and its member organizations to address issues of equality and inclusion in protecting civil and human rights."

According to the organization's Web site: "The Award is the civil rights community's highest honor, saluting individuals or organizations that best exemplify Vice President Humphrey's legacy of 'selfless and devoted service in the cause of equality.'" This year's dinner will recognize the 40th Anniversary of the Fair Housing Act, for which Conyers has been a dedicated advocate.

"This year marks the 40th Anniversary of the Fair Housing Act; there has been an increasing number of housing complaints alleging unfair treatment of minorities, the disabled, families and other groups," Conyers added. "Despite the surge in complaints, the Fair Housing Act remains woefully under-enforced. We are planning to hold a joint oversight hearing with the Financial Services Committee in June to evaluate the enforcement of the Fair Housing Act by the Department of Justice and the Department of Housing and Urban Development to curtail discrimination in housing."

The dinner is being held tonight, starting with a reception at 5:30 p.m., at the Hilton Washington Towers, 1919 Connecticut Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C.

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