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Former U.S. Senator David Pryor To Receive
the 2009 Marie Interfaith Civic Leadership Award

Little Rock, AR (April 7, 2009) – Former U.S. Sen. David Pryor will receive the Marie Interfaith Civic Leadership Award at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, May 3, at Temple B’nai Israel, 3700 North Rodney Parham Road, Little Rock. There is no charge to attend, but the public is asked to call 501-413-9212 for reservations or email jszenher@swbell.net .

“The Marie Interfaith Civic Leadership Award recognizes leaders who mobilize people of different faiths and different segments of the community to address important issues and challenges facing Arkansas,” said the Rev. Stephen Copley, Chair of the Marie Interfaith Civic Leadership Award Steering Committee.

Each year an issue is chosen to be highlighted, and the 2009 issue is aging. Sen. Pryor is being honored for his four decades of work on the aging issue beginning as a young congressman and continuing through his terms as governor of Arkansas and as chair of the Senate Special Committee on Aging. Visit TheMarie.org to learn more.

In addition to the award ceremony, there will be a panel on aging moderated by Sen. Pryor. Participants will be Jeanne Wei, M.D., Director of the Donald W. Reynolds Institute on Aging at UAMS; U.S. Representative Vic Snyder; and Lou Tobian, Associate State Director of AARP Arkansas. Dr. Wei will discuss healthcare for seniors, Rep. Snyder will recap government support and Tobian will explore housing and transitions with a panel discussion following.

Several local nonprofits and government agencies will have exhibits with information about programs and opportunities for seniors in the reception area during the event. Participating are AARP, the Arkansas Aging Initiative of the Donald W. Reynolds Institute on Aging at UAMS, Camp Aldersgate, CareLink, DHS Division of Aging and Adult Services and LifeQuest .

In 2004, Paul and Irving Spitzberg initiated the Marie Interfaith Civic Leadership Award an award to honor their mother, Marie Spitzberg. Growing up, they saw a positive role model in her values and civic activities in partnership with their father, Dr. Irving Spitzberg. Marie Spitzberg lives interfaith leadership in her service to all regardless of religion or economic circumstance.

“I taught my sons to respect people as individuals, with a right to their beliefs, but also to ‘right wrongs.’ I hoped and continue to believe that we can all live peaceful and full lives in our world,” said Marie Spitzberg. “In order to do so, we must tackle issues like aging with complete information and civic action. This year’s award honors David Pryor, who has made serving others a guiding principle in his life.”

Past recipients of the Marie Interfaith Civic Leadership Award include Mimi Dortch, 2005; Jim Davis, 2006; Grainger Williams, 2007; and the congregations of Bethel AME Church and Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, 2008.

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