“Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.” – Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

On Wednesday, July 16, 2008, approximately 300 members of Congress, congressional staff and spouses, faith leaders, major donors and other friends of The Faith & Politics Institute gathered for the 2nd Lewis-Houghton Leadership Awards ceremony. Award recipients included Congressmen Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.) and Chip Pickering (R-Miss.), as well as Robert G. Liberatore and Institute co-founder Anne Bartley.  National Public Radio’s Nina Totenberg served as Master of Ceremonies for the celebration, which was held at the Newseum in Washington, DC.

The Lewis-Houghton Leadership Award recognizes leaders who have exhibited qualities of conscience, courage and compassion in their roles as public servants. Important attributes of each honoree are demonstrated integrity between their spiritual values and their actions and long-term commitment to leadership in service of the common good, regardless of short-term political ramifications. The namesakes of the award, Congressman John Lewis (D-Ga.) and former Congressman Amo Houghton (R-N.Y.), exemplified such leadership not only in their work as members of Congress but also in reaching across lines of race, class and party to form a strong and lasting friendship.

“The Institute does not give out these Lewis-Houghton Awards lightly,” stated Rev. Clete Kiley, President of The Faith & Politics Institute.  “We recognize that, as the scripture says, we are all made of clay, we have our flaws and our imperfections.  But we are also capable of moments of grace and light.  We believe that those instances of leadership need to be lifted up.”

Congressmen Thompson and Pickering were given the Lewis-Houghton Award for their courageous leadership in bridging political and personal divides in order to better serve the people of Mississippi.  As a manifestation of their reconciliation, the two men helped The Faith & Politics Institute develop the “Courage and Creativity” Congressional Pilgrimage to Mississippi, and served as co-leaders for the journey.

“Congressman Thompson and I have different political views, different philosophies.  There was a family fight, and as you know, in the South…if we get in a fight, it is hard to get over that and get beyond that,” said Congressman Pickering.  “But there is one force that is really the last stage and the last hope and the most powerful in this human drive, and it is the force of forgiveness. …Without forgiveness, the putting aside of the wounds and anger and putting aside all the things that divide us, so that you can be unified and we can truly lead and truly represent the best – the better angels.”

Robert G. Liberatore was recognized for his lifetime of service in both the public and private sectors. Prior to joining the Chrysler Corporation, he served on Capitol Hill for ten years, including four years as Staff Director for Senator Robert C. Byrd.  Senator Joe Biden (D-Del.) paid tribute to Liberatore: “The thing you noticed about Rob Liberatore…that persists to this day: he never had any moral dilemma about making the connection between his deeply held moral convictions about humanity and about the soul.”

In the late 1980s, Anne Bartley often hosted in her living room the four-member reflection group that eventually grew into The Faith & Politics Institute and has served on the Institute’s Board of Directors since its inception 17 years ago. Bartley has been a strong influence in shaping the spirit of the Institute.  Her passion for racial reconciliation, her keen political instinct and her understanding of the importance of contemplative life among public servants have helped make the Institute what it is today.  Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi paid tribute to Bartley, saying, “Anne gave us more than her home; she shared with us her values…In doing so, she has helped to bring our nation closer to the ideal of equality which is both our heritage and our hope.”

Other highlights of the evening included an opening prayer from Rev. Dan Coughlin, Chaplain of the U.S. House of Representatives; a musical performance by Delores King Williams and Howard Breitbart; reflections and remarks from Rev. Cannon Michael Battle and Senator Sam Brownback (R-Kan.); remarks from the award’s namesakes, Congressman John Lewis and the Honorable Amo Houghton; and a closing blessing from Rabbi Jack Moline.

View photos from the 2nd Lewis-Houghton Leadership Awards Ceremony.

Download the printed program or a transcript of the evening.

View a list of the major donors who have made the Institute's programs possible in 2008.

Read about the inaugural Lewis-Houghton Awards ceremony.