The Utah Martin Luther King, Jr. Human Rights Commission
2008 Drum Major Awards Honorees
Mary Kaye Huntsman is a passionate advocate for youth. She has created several programs to help kids cope emotionally with various challenges. Her first kid-to-kid, heart-to-heart project, known as the “Bag of Hope,” expanded into a nationwide program through the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. She used this same approach to create programs that provide companionship and hope to children recently diagnosed with cancer and for children who are terminally ill. As First Lady, Mrs. Huntsman has expanded this concept into a statewide program known as “Power in You” (www.powerinyou.org). The initiative focuses on the emotional side of “at risk” behaviors, as well as “life challenges” that teenagers face: substance abuse, eating disorders, harassment, mood disorders, disabilities, cancer, diabetes, ethnic diversity, poverty, teen pregnancy, teen suicide, dating violence, gang awareness, healthy weight, and Internet bullying. In addition, Mrs. Huntsman serves as Honorary Chair of the Literacy Commission and the Utah Coalition Against Sexual Assault. She and Governor Huntsman have been married for 24 years and they have seven children.
Judge Raymond Uno
Raymond Uno was born in Ogden, Utah. His family moved to El Monte, California in 1938 where he attended a segregated Lexington Elementary School, consisting of mostly Mexicans and a handful of Japanese. After December 7, 1941, the attack on Pearl Harber, President Roosevelt issued Executive Order 9066 authorizing the forced removal of all persons of Japanese ancestry from California, Oregon, Washington and part of Arizona. His family was incarcerated in the Heart Mountain, Wyoming concentration camp for over three years. His father, a U.S. Army veteran of World War I, passed away in Heart Mountain on January 21, 1943, a prisoner of war of his own country. He is a graduate of Ogden High School and a Korean War Veteran. He received his Associate of Science from Weber Jr. College, Bachelor of Science in Political Science, Juris Doctor, and Masters in Social Work from the University of Utah and Doctor of Humanities from Weber State University. He has worked as a Social Worker for the Salt Lake County Welfare Department, Referee of the Juvenile Court, Deputy Salt Lake County Attorney, Assistant Utah Attorney General, private legal practice, a judge of the Salt Lake City Court, Circuit Court of the State of Utah, and Third District Court, State of Utah. His most cherished experience was being a caretaker of his mother, for 36 years in his home until her passing at the age of 101 and1/2 years of age in his home. He currently is owner of 5 Buck Pizza Rose Park and Tooele and is Vice President, Board of Trustees, Salt Lake City Mosquito Abatement District. He has been deeply involved in civic, community and political affairs for over 50 years as a volunteer. He is married to Yoshiko Uno and has five sons. Hope the above will suffice.
Winston Wilkinson
Winston Wilkinson was appointed by President George W. Bush on December 19, 2005, to serve as Director of the U. S. Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) Office for Civil Rights (OCR). In 1981, he joined the U.S. Department of Education as a political appointee and served until 1988 as a senior official. While at the Department of Education, Mr. Wilkinson served as Special Assistant in the Office of Civil Rights; Special Assistant in the Office of Rehabilitation Services, and in the Office of the Secretary. In 1988, he moved to HHS to serve as Deputy Director in the Office for Civil Rights. Mr. Wilkinson received a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from Morgan State University in 1971 and completed his Juris Doctorate from Howard University Law School in 1974. He and his wife Gloria have four children. He heavily was involved in the civil rights movement of the 60’s and 70’s, and continues to fight for equality for all people.
Janet Canyon
Janet is the Associate Coordinator for the Salt Lake City School District-American Indian Education Program. She is Dine’ (Navajo), a Utah native who attended local schools and earned a Master’s Degree from the University of Utah. During most of her working career she has worked with youth in various entities, such as education, juvenile justice, and community programs. Most recently she has been involved with the Martin Luther King commission; Adopt-A-School program as a school presenter. Janet currently serves on the Utah State American Indian/Alaska Native Advisory Committee, the Utah Coordinating Council for Youth-In-Custody and is a former Board Member of the Indian Walk In Center. She participates with local committees/projects promoting understanding and respecting the “good way,” a way which encompasses honor, tradition, and validation for the Native American Indian peoples. This understanding helps to broaden appreciation for people’s life experiences and contributions. For fun she enjoys reading, being adventurous, and making memories with her family/friends!
Richard Kischner
Richard was born in Coepnhagen, Denmark; Son of an eminent scientist and medical professional. He grew up wanting to know as much about the world as he could take in and was fortunate enough to have parents who loved him and were open enough to expose him to everything (good and bad) that was out there. After graduating early from High School, he attended and graduated from Western Washington University with degrees in Theatre and Speech, and went out to make his fortune. Along the way he discovered that he loved teaching and learning with children. Richards says, “They (children) teach me more than I can ever teach them and I am eternally grateful for that fact.”He moved his family to Utah got a Master’s degree in Child Drama and a BA in Education from the University of Utah, he has worked for Granite School District for the past 17 years, as a teacher and drama specialist. He has also worked for the local colleges as both a teacher and director. He returned to school for another Master’s degree, this time in Leadership and Policy, and is currently working on an endorsement in Math; I have started newsletters, chess clubs and drama groups for my kids. Every year I do something different to expose my students to the wonders and variety of people, cultures and habitats of our world. I listened to Martin Luther King as he spoke of his dream and was shattered when he was taken from us to serve another mission. I believe it is our mission to serve these kids, to help them achieve their dreams: To teach them to learn to live together. Dr. King spoke of a peoples’ dialogue. He told us to love and value each other, not because we were one color or another, but because each of us brings to the world a unique something that contributes to the global community. I am grateful that the Adopt-a-School program has adopted our school, and allowed us to create Dr. King’s vision of a greater dialogue amongst peoples
Senator Ed Mayne (1945-2007) — A True Utah Statesman
Senator Ed Mayne (Senate District 5). was one of Utah’s finest public servants. Not only did he represent and address the needs, and concerns of his district, but he represented the concerns of all communities. Senator Mayne was an advocate for the working man, labor rights and the underprivileged. Furthermore, Senator Mayne also possessed an incredible knack for bridging opposing sides for negotiation. In addition to being recognized as one of this year’s 2008 “Drum Major Award” Honorees, he has been honored by Salt Lake County for his participation in developing the Oquirrh Hill Park in Kearns. Senator Mayne received a Doctorate of Humane Letters Degree for his community service and his support of Salt Lake Community College. He was asked by the Salt Lake Olympic Committee and President Mitt Romney to serve as the Venue Chair for the E-center which hosted the Olympic Hockey matches and carried the torch from the Olympic Speed Skating Oval to “Ed Mayne Street” Senator Mayne will be remembered as a phenomenal spokesperson for Utah’s working families, retirees and for those without a voice. Simply put, Senator Mayne practiced the philosophy and beliefs Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Barbara Toomer
Barbara Toomer takes on challenges the way Dr. Martin Luther King and Caesar Chavez did - not sitting in an office, but using non- violent techniques to advocate for and work with people. She has been actively involved in civil rights issues affecting people with disabilities and the poor since the 1970’s. She is a co-founder of Community Shares/Utah, Disabled Rights Action Committee, and ADAPT/Utah and continues to volunteer with these ongoing organization of people with disabilities working to free people from nursing home institutionalization with the mantra of “Free Our People” she met with President Bill Clinton and Cabinet members of the Bush administration to further the cause of allowing federal money to follow the person from institutions into their own homes in the community.
Serafi Auva'a-Tavita
Serafi Auva’a-Tavita is a young Pacific Islander leader who is passionate about contributing to the health and vitality of our community. When first approached about participating in the Adopt-A-School Program, Tavita was ecstatic. Tavita is proud of her Pacific Islander heritage and considers it an honor to share her culture with others, especially young children. Tavita is a former Miss Samoa-Utah and is a strong believer in community service. Tavita has volunteered on many organizations such as the YWCA Young Women Leadership Board, tutor/mentor for Pacific Islander students in the Salt Lake City School District, and currently works with the P.A.L.E. Foundation, a non-profit organization of young Pacific Islander parents who seek to unlock the potential of Pacific Islanders in the areas of parental awareness, academics, life skills, health/fitness and cultural arts. Tavita graduated from the University of Utah with a B.A. in History and plans to further her education. Tavita is married to Gilbert Tavita and has two beautiful children.
WaMu
Washington Mutual believes in community, they understanding that they have a responsibility to help improve the lives of others. In particular, they support education, affordable housing and community development—with their commitment to education focusing primarily on K-12 public schools and programs that teach youngsters and adults how to be smart about money. They have also been instrumental in the Utah Martin Luther King, Jr, Adopt-A-School program, teaching kids in grades 3-6 about the importance of respect, understanding and acceptance for all people. This is Washington Mutual’s second year as a sponsor for the Utah Martin Luther King, Jr. Adopt-A-School Program. WaMu’s commitment to the Adopt-A-School Program makes them a natural for this year’s corporate sponsor.
