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WASHINGTON, DC
— Consumer journalist Herb Weisbaum and U.S. Senator Paul Sarbanes (D-MD) will receive the National Consumers League’s highest honor tonight at the annual Trumpeter Awards Ceremony and Reception at the Washington Club in Washington, DC. For more than 30 years, the Trumpeter Award has recognized leaders who are not afraid to speak out for social justice and for the rights of consumers and workers. A consumer journalist and television personality with a 25-year track record of looking out for Americans from all walks of life, Herb Weisbaum has spent his colorful career arming consumers with the knowledge they need to make intelligent decisions and avoid pitfalls and rip-offs. The Seattle-based Weisbaum reaches consumers through his radio show, a column on MSNBC.com, and with his own www.ConsumerMan.com Web site. “Herb is a trusted, interesting voice who has helped millions of consumers navigate a confusing marketplace,” said NCL President Linda Golodner. “He’s a longtime friend of the League, a special fan of our LifeSmarts program, and a fellow advocate in the battle against fraud, and we are delighted to honor his work.” Senator Sarbanes, who receives the Trumpeter award in his last year in office, has devoted his career to improving the lives of both his constituents in Maryland, and all American consumers. Through more than 30 years of public service, including primary sponsorship of historic legislation meant to both repair an accounting industry in shambles and restore consumer confidence, Sarbanes has made clear his dedication to offering consumers representation with integrity and devotion. “Paul Sarbanes has dedicated his life to public service, working for the people of Maryland for more than three decades with a clear sense of integrity and respect for democracy,” said Cleo Manual Stamatos, a Maryland resident and NCL Board Member. “His commitment to reforming an industry whose investor and consumer confidence had been eroded by corporate greed and abuses has resulted in a substantial contribution to American law and to consumers’ sense of security. His powerful voice within Congress has earned him a Trumpeter Award.” The League has presented the Trumpeter Award since 1973. Awardees include former FDA Commissioner David Kessler, Senator Tom Harkin, Senator Edward Kennedy, financial guru Jane Bryant Quinn, and other national labor and consumer advocates. NCL will also honor the recipient of the Florence Kelley Consumer Leadership Award, named for the Washington-based group’s founding leader from 1899 to 1932. The award is given to grass-roots advocates who exemplify a commitment to social justice for consumers and workers. This year’s recipient is Pastor Herrera, Jr., the director of the Los Angeles County Department of Consumer Affairs. Herrera currently serves as NCL Board Secretary. “Pastor Herrera, Jr., an invariably thoughtful and dedicated leader, has been working to protect consumers for 30 years. In California and nationally, many consumer organizations have sought Pastor's expertise and skill,” said Jane King, Vice Chair of the NCL Board of Directors. Past recipients of the Florence Kelley Award include former Federal Trade Commissioner Mary Gardiner Jones, National Alliance for Hispanic Health President and CEO Jane Delgado, Consumer Action’s Ken McEldowney, farmworker advocate James Leonard, and other consumer and worker advocates. For more information, write or call the National Consumers League at 1701 K Street, N.W., Suite 1200, Washington, D.C. 20006, 202-835-3323. Log on to NCL at www.nclnet.org. |
