December 7th, 2000
usjayceeS.org
The
Junior Chamber of Commerce
December 7th, 2000
usjayceeS.org
Catherine Robinson Named One of the Ten Outstanding Young Americans by The U.S. Junior Chamber Of Commerce
TULSA,
OK
– The U.S. Junior Chamber of Commerce is proud to have the opportunity to add Catherine
Robinson
to the list of 610 exceptional young people honored by the Junior Chamber as one
of the best, brightest, and most inspirational
leaders America has to offer.
The
Ten Outstanding Young Americans for 2001 will be honored during Celebration
Weekend on January 27, 2001, at the Renaissance Hotel in Washington, D.C.
This 63rd Congress of Ten Outstanding Young Americans is
administered by The U.S. Junior Chamber of Commerce and sponsored in part by the
Anheuser-Busch Companies.
Many
notables have been honored as Outstanding Young Americans in the past, including
Presidents John Kennedy, Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford, and Bill Clinton as well as
Vice Presidents Al Gore and Dan Quayle. Also
honored were Howard Hughes, Orson Wells, Elvis Presley, Nelson Rockefeller,
dogsled champion Susan Butcher, and actor Christopher Reeve.
Of
particular interest is Catherine Robinson.
A survivor of a rape during which her attackers infected her with the HIV
virus, thirty-five-year-old Cathy Robinson uses her life to educate others about
HIV and AIDS.
Robinson,
a career HIV educator and advocate since 1992, uses her own money for travel and
living expenses as she drives an average of 70,000 miles a year around the state
of Florida, speaking to classes, student assemblies, conferences, and small
gatherings. Although she fights her own daily battle with AIDS, she’s a
tireless advocate in doing extensive work on AIDS policy and law, lobbying for
patient rights, producing educational videos, and finding extra time to talk
one-on-one to anyone who is interested.
Robinson,
a recognized conference speaker at the national level, has also started two
foundations. The Cathy Robinson Foundation is dedicated to providing children
affected by HIV with hope and help reaching their educational goals.
Friends-Together, a new organization, is designed to further AIDS advocacy and
education.
Many organizations have recognized Robinson’s selfless service. She’s been named a Daily National Point of Light, Young Floridian of the Year by the Florida Jaycees, and Humanitarian of the Year by the River Fund.
Other
honors include a Partners in Education Award from The Collier Education
Foundation, and Knighted the Arch Angel of Michael Award from The International
Police Chief Association.
Robinson,
her husband Daniel, and their children Lyndsy and Garrett, reside in Ft. Myers,
Florida.
Other
Honorees include:
Mark
Hamilton Eckhardt, 31,
Los Angeles, California
Heather
French Henry, 26,
Louisville, Kentucky
Suzanne
G.S. Greenberg, 39,
Midland, Michigan
Robin
Lorraine Hartl, 38,
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Major
Timothy James Lawrence, 35,
England
Karen
Loucks, 37,
Parker, Colorado
LT.
COL. George E. Peoples Jr., MD, 38,
Fulton,
Maryland
Richard
Leonard Tafel, 38,
Washington, D.C.
Michele
Tafoya, 36,
Edina, Minnesota
The
Junior Chamber of Commerce is an organization of young men and women between the
ages of 21 and 39 who possess a common desire to contribute to the welfare of
their communities, state, nation, and the world. The Jaycees offer a unique
opportunity for leadership and personal growth, representing the independence
and the viewpoint of the nation’s young people in an organization focused on
action and activity. For more
information about The U.S. Junior Chamber of Commerce, you may contact the
National Service Center at 4 West 21st Street, Tulsa, OK
74114-1116. Or, call
800.JAYCEES to find out more about how you can become a part of this exciting
organization.