Nominations sought for human rights award

The Crow Wing County Human Rights Commission is seeking nominations in order to recognize a county resident for efforts to promote human rights.

Nominations for the fifth annual Crow Wing County Human Rights Award are being accepted through Dec. 14. The award is part of an ongoing goal to remind the community of human rights issues and the commission's standards of tolerance, diversity, opposition to discrimination and fair treatment of all citizens of the county regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, familial status, handicap or sexual orientation.

Nominations may be made by anyone and must meet the selection criteria. Selection will be based on the individual's volunteer activity or work that relates to the mission of the human rights commission and for actions that are above and beyond a paid employee's usual job responsibilities.

Nominees for the youth category must be age 12 to 18 in 2007; adult category nominees must be 19 or older. In addition, the individual must be a Crow Wing County resident and the actions for which he or she is nominated must have taken place within the county during 2007.

The valued work of these individuals often goes unrecognized outside their circle of friends, family, neighbors and coworkers, the commission reported. Commission members wished to thank and support these residents by recognizing their contributions toward creating a tolerant and accepting society for all people. While there is no monetary award for this recognition, the Crow Wing County Human Rights Commission will host a public recognition ceremony to honor the award recipient on Jan. 21. Previous honorees include Martha Smolka Anderson, Jan Kurtz, Paul Mans and Dr. Paul Milloy.

Nominators may remain anonymous if they choose. Nominations should be submitted on the prepared form, which can be obtained by calling 828-2420 or writing to CWC Human Rights Commission, P.O. Box 1134, Brainerd, MN 56401. Forms must be postmarked by Dec. 14 and should be sent to the same address.