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ACLU Announces Tom Gill Scholar For Public High School Students
December 8, 2003

Honolulu – The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Hawai‘i announced today the establishment of the Thomas P. Gill Scholar which will be awarded annually to a public high school student in Hawai‘i to work on legislative issues.

The Scholar idea was conceived after it was announced, at a recent testimonial dinner for Gill, that the event’s net proceeds would go to the local ACLU. Gill will present the donation of $4,000 to the ACLU Board at its meeting this Wednesday. Gill has been a board member since 1982.

“The local community and the ACLU have long benefited from the integrity, good works and tenacity of Tom. We are honored to offer this educational program which embodies Tom’s spirit, intelligence and dedication in public service to civil liberties and civil rights,” said executive director Vanessa Y. Chong.

The Gill Scholar will receive a stipend of $500 and work alongside an ACLU volunteer during the legislative session. The Scholar will do research and draft testimony, follow a bill from start to finish, and work with ACLU volunteers, legislators and the community.

Chong said, “Tom was a graduate of Roosevelt High School and so it is fitting to reach public school students on O‘ahu to start. We encourage the public to donate to the Scholar fund so that we can offer the program statewide and involve more students.”

Anyone can contribute. The donation is not tax-deductible, however, since the program’s activities are legislative.

The ACLU will publicize the new program to schools beginning next month. The first Scholar will be selected by the ACLU’s Legislative Committee for the 2005 legislative session. For more information, contact the ACLU at 522-5900 or email at office@acluhawaii.org.




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