12/10: HUMAN AGENDA TO HONOR MIKE HONDA AT HUNGER BANQUET

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Richard Hobbs, 408-460-2999

richhobbs [at] msn.com

HUMAN AGENDA TO HONOR MIKE HONDA AT HUNGER BANQUET

SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA—Human Agenda, a human rights organization based in San Jose, California, will honor Congressman Mike Honda with the Human Agenda Human Rights Award at its Hunger Banquet on Friday, December 10, 2004. The 6 PM Hunger Banquet is held annually at San Jose City College to celebrate United Nations Human Rights Day.


“Congressman Honda will be honored for his principled positions in favor of human rights at home and abroad; his support of fair trade policies and economic parity; his deep concern for human beings; and his unwavering support for democratic rights and civil liberties”, states Franci Collins, Chairperson of Human Agenda.



In addition, this year Human Agenda will inaugurate a new award, the James P. McEntee Community Relations Award, named after the late Director of the Office of Human Relations of Santa Clara County. “This award will be given in the first year to the inseparable McEntee dynamic duo, Ann and Jim, for their decades of service to all the adults and children of Santa Clara County”, declares Gil Villagran, President of the Board of Human Agenda. Ann McEntee will attend the event to receive the award on behalf of herself and her late husband.

The Hunger Banquet is a unique event in Santa Clara County designed to allow participants to become familiar with the pain of world hunger and poverty. Attendees randomly choose the name of a person from around the world and play that role during the evening. They typically sit on the floor and consume water and rice, and perhaps beans. “Since 4/5 of the world’s people earn less than $2 per day, it is appropriate that 80% of the participants sit on the floor and for one meal experience hunger”, states Lori Lujan, a Professor at Evergreen Valley College and a member of Human Agenda. “A high percentage of the remaining attendees will eat chicken and drink coffee or milk, and only a small table of guests will eat gourmet food with elegant place settings.” Participants will play their role, discuss the causes of world poverty and hunger, and hear the perspectives of community college students on world poverty and hunger.



This year Hunger Banquet participants will also have a holiday consumer option. While other Americans jam shopping malls to fill their gift lists, they can consider the option of purchasing a different kind of present -- animals for poor villagers in developing nations. HEIFER, a new documentary from San Jose State sociology professor and independent producer Bob Gliner (Time Frenzy), explores Heifer Project International's work of providing animals to poor villagers as a way of addressing poverty and promoting community development. In the process, the viewer will be given an intimate portrait of people in the rural landscapes of countries on four continents - Guatemala, Tanzania, Albania, and the Tibetan region of China -- and the way they have grappled with issues of social justice, gender inequality, and environmental sustainability.



HEIFER offers a different vision of defending America in a post 9/11 world, a vision based on
addressing the root causes of poverty and frustration that many of the world's poor confront rather than depending on an ever increasing military arsenal. Independent video producer Bob Gliner will be on hand to answer questions about the premiere of this exciting documentary.



Proceeds from this year’s Hunger Banquet will be dedicated to the Second Harvest Food Bank, Oxfam America, Heifer International, and Human Agenda, which will use part of the proceeds to provide scholarships to young people who will provide community service and experience poverty in Mexico in January. A $25+ donation is requested, or $10 for students, but no one will be turned away for lack of funds. The event will take place in the old Community Room of San Jose City College in the old Student Union behind the new Tech Center at Bascom and Moorpark. Call 408-460-2999 for more information.