Washington, DC, April 4, 2005 … Citing his lifetime of public service, his dedication to promoting America's interests abroad and his efforts to bring a resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) presented former Secretary of State Colin Powell with its highest honor, the America's Democratic Legacy Award. 

"I am deeply honored to receive this America's Democratic Legacy Award.  One receives many awards in public life, but this one will always be special to me, because this is an organization whose work I deeply respect and trust," Mr. Powell said, in accepting the award at the League's National Leadership Conference in Washington, D.C.

"Colin Powell is one of those Americans for whom we reserve a special place in our history and hearts.  We call them heroes," said Abraham H. Foxman, ADL National Director. "From his leadership through the Gulf War, to the determination he exhibited as our nation's top diplomat at a time when confronted with terrorism and war, Colin Powell always approached his role with great courage and intelligence.  We owe him our respect and gratitude for his years of public service, for his integrity, and for his commitment to spreading the ideals of democracy and freedom around the world."

"Colin has always taken a keen interest in the safety and security of the State of Israel and in seeking to establish a lasting peace between Israelis and Palestinians," added Mr. Foxman.  "His efforts have had a positive impact on the improvement in relations now underway, and for that we thank him."

ADL's America's Democratic Legacy Award, its highest honor, was established more than 50 years ago to recognize "those precious few individuals who have helped make our nation a place where freedom, equality and democracy are cherished rights forever."

Previous award recipients include former U.S. Presidents Ronald Reagan, Lyndon Johnson, John F. Kennedy, Dwight Eisenhower and Harry S. Truman; as well as Eleanor Roosevelt, Adlai Stevenson, Justice Earl Warren, Saul Bellow, George Tenet, Henry Kissinger, Lee Iacocca, Walter Annenberg, Dwayne Andreas and Cardinal John O'Connor.  The award has also been presented to distinguished institutions including Harvard University, The New York Times and the Columbia Broadcasting System.

The Anti-Defamation League, founded in 1913, is the world's leading organization fighting anti-Semitism through programs and services that counteract hatred, prejudice and bigotry.