State Representative Woody Burton has been awarded the Ellis Island Medal of Honor from the National Ethnic Coalition of Organizations (NECO). This award is presented annually to American citizens who exemplify the values of the American way of life. “I am humbled to be recognized with such an honor,” said Rep. Burton.
According to the NECO website, nominations for the award satisfy one or more of the following criteria: (1) lives a life dedicated to helping others, (2) preserves and celebrates the history, traditions and values of their ancestry group, (3) strives for tolerance and acceptance between ethnic and, racial and religious groups in the U.S. and abroad and (4) shares their personal and/or professional gifts for the benefit of humanity.
“This award is a very special achievement for me,” said Rep. Burton. “To me, this award is about the American Dream and the unique opportunities for success that we have here in America. My family started out at the bottom, but I worked my way up from mechanic, to teacher, to real estate sales, to the Indiana House of Representatives. My life is a testament to the fact that your success is determined by your hard work, not by your birth.”
To date, more than 1,800 American citizens have received Ellis Island Medals of Honor. Past medalists include six U.S. Presidents and several Nobel Prize Winners.
