Rita Moreno And More Honored At Ellis Island Medals Of Honor Gala

This evening, the Ellis Island Honors Society (EIHS) hosted the 32nd annual Ellis Island Medals of Honor Ceremony on Ellis Island where over one hundred medalists were recognized for their leadership and service within their communities and professions while exemplifying the values of the American way of life. In addition to the star-studded list of medalists, artist Tony Shafrazi, Fire and Fury author Michael Wolff and Victoria Floethe joined in celebration on Ellis Island.

The ceremony honored a number of today's leaders such as Academy Award-winning actress Rita Moreno, Founder of Sirius XM Martine Rothblatt, art dealer and entrepreneur Larry Gagosian, Segway inventor and entrepreneur Dean Kamen, PBS Host Professor Henry Louis Gates Jr., former American football Halfback Franco Harris. This year, three international honorees were given an International Ellis Island Medal of Honor including His Serene Highness Albert II, Prince of Monaco and Chairman of the Board of Ocean Spray Peter Dhillon.

The night started off with a wonderful introduction by EIHS Chairman Nasser Kazeminy and the Masters of Ceremony, journalists Marvin Scott and Tamsen Fadal, followed by speeches from Moreno, HSH Prince Albert II, Executive Director of CAST Kay Buck and General Joseph Lengyel.

"Our medalists come from all over America and the world. They represent 45 different nationalities and ethnicities, they come from five continents and they speak dozens of languages," said Nasser Kazeminy, Chairman of the Ellis Island Honors Society. "They have all taken different journeys to be here tonight: some were born in the United States, others have chosen to make this great nation their home. Together they form the magical fabric that is America, a fabric that can never be torn apart."

During a private ceremony, HSH Prince Albert II reflected on the hardship many went through to become an American citizen saying, "Although my Irish ancestors Kelly and Costello arrived on American soil before the opening of Ellis Island and Carl Majer and Margaretha Berg also arrived in the United States before 1892, I cannot help but remember the story of all these immigrants braving the risks of a crossing and their passage through Ellis Island, in search of a better life and a land of freedom, even as today the world is still faced with a number of population displacements. This is the reason why there is one absolute imperative that I wish never to abandon and that is to act according to values of otherness and solidarity. This medal is a measure of the importance of the actions which are being undertaken in a spirit of tolerance, fraternity, and respectful of differences."

"It's because of my mother's faith and belief and and the possibilities afforded me in this exceptional country, I have actually lived and continued to live the American dream," said actress Rita Moreno. "I do believe, with all of my heart and soul, that yearning masses will always huddle, on the border of hope. And I pray that America, will always be that beacon of those people's dream."

The 32nd Ellis Island Medals of Honor black-tie gala was held in Ellis Island's Great Hall, the original registry room and the gateway for 12 million immigrants to the U.S, where medalists received and celebrated their awards in front of an iconic view of the Statue of Liberty and the Manhattan skyline.

The Ellis Island Medal of Honor ranks among the nation's most renowned awards. The U.S. Senate and House of Representatives have officially recognized the Ellis Island Medals of Honor, and each year the recipients are listed in the Congressional Record.

To see the full list of 2018 recipients, please visit: http://eihonors.org/.