Written by:
Demetria Daniels

P: 212-332-9991

718-885-6576 A chatty, informative column of New York events featuring places, people and personalities and celebrities. demetriadaniels@gmail.com

 
I attended the NECO (National Ethnic Coalition of Organizations) Ellis Island Awards, started by Bill Fugazy, co-chaired by Lee Iococca, and Nasser J. Kaseminy, and presided over by Maurice Buckley. One of the first persons I congratulated was rear admiral STEPHEN W. ROCHON, who is the Director of the Executive Residence of the White House. Serving nearly 35 years at the White House and near retirement, he told me about Queen Elizabeth's visit to President George Bush recently. He said " she was very gracious and wanted to meet his entire staff to thank each and every one of them personally." On the side, the admiral did a documentary film called "The Voices of Gladden Hawks", about the rescue of the schooner "Newman" in N. Carolina.
Also receiving the gold Ellis Island Award, which has recently been recognized by Congress and the Senate, was GEORGE HAMILTON. He told me his descendents from Scotland landed in Virginia in 1621. He has been helping with "Operation USA", and now spends his time investigating alternative ways to medicine. He wants to see people live longer lives. and be aware of toxicity in their diets. His secret to his good looks - "I believe in doing, not talking"

Congratulations to the winners which include H.E.Sheikha Haya Rashed AL Khalifa, President of th 61st session of the United Nations General Assembly,Cynthia R.Garrett, Superintendent of the Statue of Liberty Monument, Hon.Leslie Crocker-Snyder- who told me it is not against the law to be without and I.D., MSGT Nicholas Grand, George Kostas,Jon Fortang, C.Warren Moses, CEO of The Chidren's Aid Society,Patrick Grant, Ik Joong Kang, Mira Zivkovich, and David Kimmel of WPIX-TV. These are a few of the 100 recipients.

There was a cocktail reception, a boat trip to Ellis Island, the ceremony hosted by Marvin Scott who said it was alright to "shed a tear",(WPIX-TV), and Tom Dreesen, a formal dinner and the ride home with Grucci fireworks - a night to remember for always.
posted by Demetria at 8:45 PM