LOS ANGELES (Jan. 13, 2009) -- The American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA) -- a national union of more than 70,000 professional performers, recording artists and broadcast journalists working in the entertainment and news media -- is pleased to announce the AFTRA Foundation will honor the past and current cast members of the iconic children's television program, "Sesame Street," with the AFTRA Foundation's 2010 AFTRA Media and Entertainment Excellence Award (The AMEES) at a dinner gala on Feb. 22 at New York's Plaza Hotel.
Created in 2003, the AMEE Awards honor AFTRA members for excellence in their craft and their contributions to the fields of media and entertainment. Proceeds from the 2010 AMEE Awards go to benefit the AFTRA Foundation, an independent non-profit organization separate from the union that provides support to charitable and educational endeavors critical to AFTRA members, including the George Heller Memorial Scholarship which provides scholarships to AFTRA members and their dependents for academic study and the International News Safety Institute, the only global organization solely dedicated to the safety of journalists and other news professionals.
"'Sesame Street' is a cultural landmark. Over the span of four decades, the cast members of this outstanding program have taught generations of children their ABCs and 123s through a diverse rainbow of characters, human and puppet alike," said AFTRA Foundation President Shelby Scott. "For 40 years, the consistent message of 'Sesame Street' to its viewers is one shared by the AFTRA Foundation: the importance of education and a meaningful and abiding appreciation for the wonderful diversity of the world in which we live."
Celebrating its 40th year and airing in more than 140 nations, "Sesame Street" has become one of the single greatest informal educators of young children in the world with its cast of Muppets, actors and guest stars.
When "Sesame Street" premiered on Nov. 10, 1969, it took on a strong visual style, fast-moving action and comedic format similar to another AFTRA-covered program, "Laugh-In," but with a target audience of inner city preschool-aged children with little access to quality education.
Over the years, the curriculum-driven program has changed formats and cast members and made history. Its cast - from Jim Henson's Muppets to the dozens of human characters it has employed over the decades, including original cast members Bob McGrath and Loretta Long - has reflected the diversity of the country.
Sesame Workshop, the non-profit educational organization, has expanded "Sesame Street's" reach, delivering it through television, radio, books, magazines, interactive media and community outreach on a local, national and global level. Through each media platform, the goal of the program remains the same: to help children reach their highest potential.
Also receiving honors will be broadcast journalist Robin Roberts with the AMEE Award in Broadcasting and Spanish-language recording artist Juanes, with the AMEE Award in Sound Recordings.
Veteran broadcaster Charles Osgood and music legend Sam Moore will receive AMEE Lifetime Achievement Awards in their respective fields.
AFTRA National First Vice President and award-winning broadcast journalist, Bob Edwards, will serve as Master of Ceremonies at the 2010 AMEES. Edwards is the host of "The Bob Edwards Show" on XM Satellite Radio. Before joining XM in 2004, he hosted National Public Radio's (NPR) "Morning Edition" for more than 24 years. Edwards was inducted in the national Radio Hall of Fame in 2004 and is a past AMEE Award recipient.
Past AMEE recipients include the late "60 Minutes" producer Don Hewitt and his team of CBS on-air journalists including the late Ed Bradley, Steve Kroft, Dan Rather, Andy Rooney, Morley Safer, Bob Simon, Lesley Stahl and Mike Wallace. Other past honorees include Smokey Robinson, Jeanne Cooper, Vin Scully, Don LaFontaine, Cedric The Entertainer, Willard Scott, Roberta Flack, Bob Edwards, Don Hastings, Susan Flannery, Amber Tamblyn, Patti Austin, Robert Hager, Sam Donaldson, Susan Lucci and vocalist Maureen McGovern.
For more information about the 2010 AMEE Awards, visit http://www.aftra.com/amees2010.html.
About the AFTRA Foundation
Founded by the AFTRA National Board of Directors in 1997 as a separate legal entity from the union, the AFTRA Foundation is a charitable and educational organization funded through tax-deductible voluntary contributions, grants and bequests--not AFTRA member dues--to support projects outside the scope of normal activities at AFTRA, including charitable endeavors, special conferences, studies, seminars and other events. For more information, visit http://www.aftra.com/foundation.htm.
About AFTRA
The American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, AFL-CIO, are the people who entertain and inform America. In 32 Locals across the country, AFTRA members work as actors, journalists, dancers, singers, announcers, hosts, comedians, disc jockeys, and other performers across the media industries including television, radio, cable, sound recordings, music videos, commercials, audiobooks, non-broadcast industrials, interactive games, the Internet, and other digital media. The 70,000 professional performers, broadcasters, and recording artists of AFTRA are working together to protect and improve their jobs, lives, and communities in the 21st century. From new art forms to new technology, AFTRA members embrace change in their work and craft to enhance American culture and society. Visit AFTRA online at http://www.aftra.com.
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