AARP Honors South Dakota Native, Broadcaster, Tom Brokaw with 2007 Andrus Award
By: Source: AARP.org Date Posted: 2007-09-13 09:05:55.608207-04:00
AARP honored South Dakota native Tom Brokaw with the 2007 Andrus Award, the Association's highest honor, during its Life@50+ National Event & Expo in Boston, MA Sept. 6. This award, named in honor of AARP's founder, Dr. Ethel Percy Andrus, is presented to extraordinary individuals in recognition for their significant contributions to society.
"Tom Brokaw has distinguished himself not only as a preeminent journalist, but also as a catalyst for vital social debate," said AARP CEO Bill Novelli. "Throughout his career, Mr. Brokaw has focused the public's attention on critical issues facing our nation - helping to foster essential dialogue in the halls of Congress and throughout the world. His remarkable record of achievement in reporting and commentary serves as an inspiration to all who seek out truth in the pursuit of constructive social action."
The AARP Andrus Award pays tribute to individuals who, like Dr. Andrus and Brokaw, have generated positive social awareness and positive outcomes throughout the world, and whose work and achievements reflect AARP's vision of bringing lifetimes of experience and leadership to serve all generations.
"Mr. Brokaw has helped shed light on some of the most pressing challenges of our modern history," added Erik Olsen, AARP President. "Such focus exemplifies Dr. Andrus commitment to action that 'what we do, we do for all,' a theme that remains with AARP today through our commitment to being champions for all people."
After serving more than two decades as the anchor and managing editor of "NBC Nightly News," Tom Brokaw continues to build his journalistic legacy as a Special Correspondent for NBC News. Throughout his career, Brokaw's work has been recognized with numerous awards and honors. Recently, he received the Edward R. Murrow Lifetime Achievement Award, the Emmy Award for Lifetime Achievement and was inducted as a fellow into the prestigious American Academy of Arts and Sciences.
Brokaw's reporting often focused on difficult issues facing our nation. In 2006, Brokaw reported on race and poverty in "Separate and Unequal," a critically acclaimed account of the ongoing issues of race in America. As an author, he may best be known for his best selling publication, "The Greatest Generation," a reflection of American history through interviews with World War II veterans.
Tom Brokaw was born in Webster South Dakota, grew up in Yankton, South Dakota and graduated from the University of South Dakota with a degree in Political Science.
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