Thong H. Huynh Awards

The Thong H. Huynh Awards are presented annually by the Davis Human Relations Commission. The commission, established in 1983, is charged with developing positive human relations through greater education and understanding, and encouraging and promoting equal opportunity under the law.

The awards commemorate the life of Huynh, a Davis Senior High School student who was stabbed to death May 4, 1983, in a racially motivated fight on campus.

Lifetime Achievement: Recognition for significant civil rights efforts over a long period of time while improving the quality of life in Davis. This may be an individual or an organization that has promoted positive human relations in the community.

Humanitarian Award: Recognition for significant efforts in improving the quality of life for Davis residents. Nominees have directly addressed the needs of specific groups within the community in the areas of health, human services, housing and employment.

Civil Rights Advocacy: Recognition for significant efforts and achievement while speaking on behalf of those who have little voice, are unable to speak for themselves or cannot assert their civil rights.

Community Education and Awareness: Recognition for educational efforts while promoting positive human relations, civil rights, cultural awareness, and peaceful means of conflict resolution. These efforts have increased awareness of and appreciation for differences in our multicultural community.

Excellence in Community Involvement: Recognition of a business or professional organization that has a record of significant efforts in promoting and practicing equal opportunity. This organization has contributed to community efforts that promote positive human relations and civil rights in Davis.

Peace Officer of the Year: Recognition of a Davis or Yolo County police officer who has displayed exceptional interpersonal skills under challenging circumstances. Theses efforts have resulted in effective conflict resolution or intervention and have promoted positive human relations in our multicultural and diverse community.

Lifetime Achievement Award: Lois Grau
Humanitarian Award: Will and Jane Lotter
Young Humanitarian Award: Amanda Lopez-Lara
Civil Rights Advocacy Award: Cindy Burger
Community Education and Awareness Award: Lisa Mowry and Jeanne Reeve
Excellence in Community Involvement Award: Meal Volunteers for Davis Community
Peace Officer of the Year: Trease Petersen

Lifetime Achievement Award: Mel Trujillo
Humanitarian Award: Michelle Reardon; Mariko Yamada
Young Humanitarian Award: Youth for Hope
Civil Rights Advocacy Award: Freddie Oakley
Community Education and Awareness: Hamza El-Nakhal
Excellence in Community Involvement: Davis Wiki

Mike and Philip accept the community involvement award

Freddie accepting the civil rights advocacy award

Michelle Reardon accepting the Humanitarian Award from Lamar

Mariko Yamada accepting the Humanitarian Award from Lamar

Youth for Hope accepting the Young Humanitarian Award from Don Saylor

Hamza El-Nakhal accepting the Community Education and Awareness Award from Ruth

The posthumous presentation of Mel Trujillo's award

Lifetime Achievement Awards: Shelly Bailes and Ellen Pontac; Yvonne Marsh
Humanitarian Award: Arun and Mimi Sen
Civil Rights Advocacy Award: Carlos Matos
Community Education and Awareness Awards: Jasmine Jane Cho; Ingrid Hogle; Rev. Sarah Motley; Youth in Focus/Catalyst for Social Justice
Excellence in Community Involvement Awards: International Parent-Child Learning Center; KDRT Radio, 95.7 FM

Note: The Davis City Council issued the awards for this year, instead of the Human Relations Commission

Lifetime Achievement Award: Tansey Thomas
Humanitarian Award: Hannah and Ernie Biberstein
Civil Rights Advocacy Award: Jann Murray-Garcia
Community Education and Awareness Award: Cindy Litman
Excellence in Community Involvement Award: Concilio of Yolo County
Peace Officer Award: Davis police officer Keirith Briesenick and Capt. Steve Pierce

Lifetime Achievement Award: Jerry Kaneko
Humanitarian Award: Herbert Bauer and the late Hanna Bauer
Civil Rights Advocacy Award: Gay Powers
Community Education and Awareness Award: Karen Roth
Excellence in Community Involvement Award: Kinko's of Davis
Peace Officer Award: Yolo County Sheriff's Deputy Dave Heller

Lifetime Achievement Award: William D Kopper
Humanitarian Award: Corky Brown
Civil Rights Advocacy Award: Natalie Wormeli
Excellence in Community Involvement Award: UC Davis Women's Resource and Research Center
Community Education and Awareness Awards: Marc Hicks
Peace Officer Award: Paul Doroshov

Lifetime Achievement Award: Richard Livingston
Humanitarian Award: Pat and Bill Williams
Civil Rights Advocacy Award: Rev. Tim Malone
Excellence in Community Involvement Award: Davis Community Television (DCTV)
Community Education and Awareness Awards: Elias Rashmawi; Alan Brownstein
Peace Officer Award: Chris King