Aaron Sorkin, Tommy Schlamme, Gordon Davidson to Be Honored at LA County Commission on Human Relations' John Anson Ford Awards Ceremony.

Entertainment Editors

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 16, 2003

Ellen Leyva of KABC Scheduled as Mistress of Ceremonies for Event

The Los Angeles County Commission on Human Relations (LACCHR) has announced their 31st Anniversary Celebration of the John Anson Ford Human Relations Award will be held October 16, 2003 at the Music Center's Dorothy Chandler Pavilion. Gordon Davidson, artistic director of the Center Theatre Group will receive the coveted John Allen Buggs Award. Aaron Sorkin and Tommy Schlamme -- the creators of "The West Wing" -- and Tony Valdez of KTTV, will be recipients of the esteemed Courage Award.

The LACCHR, which is dedicated to promoting positive race and human relations, and the Board of Supervisors honor individuals and organizations every year that have improved human relations in the community in a significant way.

"We have an incredible slate of people and companies to recognize this year," said Robin Toma, executive director of the LACCHR. "As in years past, we are extremely impressed and humbled by the genuine commitment to human relations that our award recipients demonstrate."

Receiving the Corporate Award this year will be Sempra Utilities, and the County district awardees include:

-- District One: Dream Yard, which serves Los Angeles youth of

all ethnic and cultural backgrounds using artistic expression

and the creative process as a force for personal

transformation and social change.

-- District Two: Watts Labor Community Action Committee, which is

a non-profit community based organization that is dedicated to

improving the quality of life for the residents of South

Central Los Angeles.

-- District Three: West Hollywood Sheriff Commander Lynda Castro,

who has been at the forefront in providing safety and security

to residents in the area, particularly those at risk for

intimidation or hate violence.

-- District Four: International Cultural Exchange which is an

organization whose focus is to bring together people from

different cultures to learn about each other through events

and education.

-- District Five: Drs. David L. and Jacqueline Jacobs (Martin

Luther King Community Coalition) have an extensive lifetime

history of working together to build relationships within the

communities of Pasadena so that all residents could nurture

the benefits of working together.

"We are very excited and enthusiastic about the upcoming awards ceremony," said Susanne Cumming, Esquire, Awards Ceremony event chair. "The dedication of those being recognized translates to positive social change, and for that we thank them."

About The Los Angeles County Commission on Human Relations

The Los Angeles County Commission on Human Relations (http://humanrelations.co.la.ca.us) is dedicated to promoting positive race and human relations in an increasingly complex and multicultural county. The Commission works to develop programs that proactively address racism, homophobia, religious prejudice, linguistic bias, anti-immigrant sentiment, and other divisive attitudes that can lead to inter-cultural tension, hate crimes and related violence. Teaming with law enforcement, schools, cities, community-based organizations, youth, academics, policy makers, businesses and other leaders, the Commission brings key players together to resolve immediate inter-cultural conflicts and to lay the groundwork for a long-term campaign to eradicate bias and prejudice.

For information on the program or for sponsorship opportunities, please contact event consultant, Naz Keynejad at 310-286-1285 or via email at [e-mail].