Global Security Institute honors Congresswoman's achievements in nuclear disarmament and human rights

San Francisco- On Saturday, April 12, Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi will be presented with the 2003 Alan Cranston Peace Award for her critical role in promoting nuclear disarmament, international peace, human rights, environmental sustainability and gender equity. The Alan Cranston Peace Award is presented annually by the Global Security Institute. Actors Pierce Brosnan and Peter Coyote, and Jayantha Dhanapala, UN Under-Secretary-General for Disarmament are among the special guests honoring Rep. Pelosi. The event will be held at the Fairmont Hotel, 950 Mason St., San Francisco at 5:00 PM. The gala reception and dinner will be the first time Rep. Pelosi is being honored in San Francisco since becoming House Democratic Leader.

"Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi has a lifetime record of working to eliminate threats to human security -- poverty, nuclear weapons, pandemic diseases, unsustainable environmental practices, and gender inequity. Like Senator Alan Cranston, in whose name we bestow this prestigious award, Congresswoman Pelosi consistently places security in the realm of how we help people, and what values our actions express as a society. She has led in working to eliminate the threat of weapons of mass destruction by working to eliminate the weapons themselves. San Francisco, California and America can be proud to have a leader who works hard to ensure a future for the whole world," said Jonathan Granoff, President, Global Security Institute.

"As a former ambassador of the United States, who has worked on every major arms control treaty of the last three decades, under both Republican and Democratic Presidents, I am concerned with the deterioration of US leadership in addressing international security by using multilateral institutions, like the UN, and in upholding and strengthening our treaty commitments such as the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty. Rep. Pelosi has consistently advocated strengthening US security by supporting the international rule of law and reducing dangers posed by nuclear and other weapons of mass destruction through supporting the fulfillment of existing international treaty obligations," said Ambassador Thomas Graham, Jr.

2003 is the second year the Alan Cranston Peace Award has been awarded. 2002's recipient was Jayantha Dhanapala, UN Under-Secretary-General for Disarmament. The Alan Cranston Peace Award honors visionary leaders who share in the late Senator Cranston's conviction that "nuclear weapons are unworthy of civilization" and who, through their efforts, have advanced the opportunities to eliminate the unacceptable dangers posed by nuclear weapons.

The Peace Award reflects the spirit and accomplishments of Senator Cranston who lived a life of exemplary service and steadfast dedication to the cause of nuclear weapons elimination.

"Alan Cranston would have rejoiced at the selection of Nancy Pelosi as this year's recipient of his distinguished Peace Award. She understands well how multilateral disarmament serves concrete national and international security interests. She represents millions of women who share these convictions -- and millions of men who agree with them. She is a dedicated and eloquent spokesperson for a form of security that focuses primarily on meeting basic human needs," said Jayantha Dhanapala, UN Under-Secretary-General for Disarmament.

"Nancy Pelosi has consistently promoted values the world needs now more than ever -- environmental responsibility and human security based on respect and cooperation amongst nations. I am proud to be able to honor her work," said Pierce Brosnan.

Congresswoman Pelosi has represented San Francisco in the U.S. House of Representatives since 1987. On November 14, 2002, House Democrats elected Rep. Pelosi as Democratic Leader, making her the highest-ranking woman in the history of the U.S. Congress and the first woman to lead a major political party.

On Saturday, April 12, at 3:30 PM, GSI will hold a press conference with Rep. Pelosi, Pierce Brosnan, Jayantha Dhanapala, and Jonathan Granoff at the California Room, Fairmont Hotel, 950 Mason St., San Francisco.

For more information and to arrange interviews:
Kath Delaney, Tel: (415) 383-7922, cell: (415) 531-1642 email: events@gsinstitute.org
http://www.gsinstitute.org
http://democraticleader.house.gov/corner/biography/index.asp

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