ESSAY WINNERS BEING RECOGNIZED TONIGHT

---NEWS ADVISORY UPDATE FOR MONDAY, APRIL 23^RD---

7:00 p.m. --- Mayor Eddie A. Perez and the Court of Common Council will recognize the award winners of an essay contest “Does Diversity Matter?”  A total of 20 students from Classical Magnet, Bulkeley High, Weaver High, and Hartford Transitional Learning participated in this writing contest sponsored by the National Campaign to Restore Civil Rights.

Mayor Perez will take part in the ceremony during tonight’s City Council meeting (second floor of City Hall) where the winners will be asked to read aloud their essay about diversity.  For those Hartford residents who cannot attend the meeting but would still like to hear these inspirational words, the Council meeting will be carried live on Hartford Government Cable Access Channel 21.

The recognition ceremony itself will take place at 6:00 p.m. in the Atrium on the first floor of City Hall, 550 Main Street in Downtown Hartford.  Five awardees will each receive a $500.00 savings bond.  The others will receive a certificate for honorable mention.

Mayor Perez says, “This writing contest provides important opportunities for our young people.  They are able to express themselves through a creative process about something that is crucial to our society--- diversity.  They are also being rewarded for their hard work and creative effort and that is an investment in their future.”