The Omaha guide., 1948-05-01
GOV. DUFF TO RECEIVE
FIRST EMBLEM CLUB A
WARD

Dl dIlIll VI lllC lHlCi lid llClldl
Emblem Club has announced
that its first annual "Distin-
guished Service Award" will
be presented to Governor Jas.
H. Duff on Thursday evening,
April 20 at the Branch.
The event, which will be the
high-lighht Of the Annual Ac-
tivities Week program that
is scheduled yearly at the
Branch, will mark the first
presentation of an annual
award which is to be made
under the auspices of the En-
blem Club unit. 1t was reveal
ed that the basis for the award
will be the contribution Of
an individual to the expension
Of the principles of human
rights and the preservation OF
;individual dignity in the de-
velopment of our democratic
philosophy"
The selection Of Gov. Duff
as an initial recipient, was re-
vealed to be based on his Wig
orous and fortnight action in
"re-opening a vista of hope to
all youth in the Common
wealth and renewing the faith
that they reach their goals if
they are prepared, regardless
Of race or creed"
Gov. Duff was nominated
for the honor by the Past Pres
idents Council Of the organi-
zation, and his selection was
unanimously endorsed at re-
cent Meeting of the body at
the Branch. 1t was revealed
that the Governors precedent
making appointment Of Nun
icipal Court Judge Herbert E.
Millen, as well as his vigorous
stand on matters Of worldwide
significance are in consonance
efforts to obtain state FEPC
law, weighed heavily in the
decision. IT was also noted
that the Chief Executives
with the ideals Of the inter
national organization Of which
this unit is an integral part.
Although the bulk Of the
tickets Of admission will be re-
served to the members Of the
Branch, it is expected that a
group Of Negro and white civ
lc leaders will be in attendance
at the dinner-meeting. Gov.
Duff will make major adj
dress, it is believed, and it is
expected that he will discuss
the stake Of youth in world
affairs.
In commenting on the selec-
ton Of Gov. Duff, Milton H.
Washingt on, Executive Sec.
retary at the Branch, stated
that There is a crying need
for action by persons promin-
ent in both public and private
affairs which would give youth
some hope and renewed CON
fidence in rewards for honest
achievement.
One Of the major problems
now being faced by those Of Us
who work with young people
is that Of trying to answer the
sometimes unasked question
as to why they should keep
hope in the future. This is ese
pecially true Of minority youth
who often see before them only
barriers rooted in PHILOSOPHERS
and practices foreign to Chris
tian concepts. Gov. Duff has
made a signal contribution to-
ward the revival of this hope
among the Commonwealth 6
minority young people at a
time when the whole world
need that kind Of example, J"
Mr.. Washington advised.
The institution Of the award
marks another milestone in the
ANIMALS Of the Christian
Street unit, which is consider
ed to be one of the most out
standing segments Of the
worldwide organization.
Membership is based on
participation in the annual
membership campaigns, and
the Christian Street Branch
has been notable for its OBJ
taining Of worthy boy mem
berships in behalf Of those
youngsters who might not
otherwise be afforded the fac
ilities Of the YMCA.
The local chapter is present
ly headed by E. Rudolphus
Clemons, prominent business
school head, and there are
more than 200 members, whose
efforts at the Branch have
warranted their selection. The
Past Presidents Council is
headed by Mrs. Elanor SHEDS
long active in Christian Street
affairs and a dynamic woman
civic leader in the community.
Many other activities are
being planned for the annual
observance of Activities Week
at the Branch, including a