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Guardian of the Human Spirit Award
 

Holocaust Museum Houston established the Guardian of the Human Spirit award in 1997 as a platform for acknowledging dedicated Houstonians who have worked to enhance the lives of others and to better humankind.

 Annise Parker
    Mayor Annise Parker

Proceeds from our annual luncheon presentation of this award are used to continue the Museum's worldwide educational programming and its policy of free admission to the general public seven days a week so that there is never a financial barrier to anyone interested in learning the lessons of the Holocaust.

The 2010 honoree is Houston Mayor Annise Parker. She will receive the award on Tuesday, Nov. 2, at the Museum’s annual luncheon, which begins at 11:30 a.m. at the Hilton Americas-Houston, 1600 Lamar, in downtown Houston.

From Parker’s early years in Germany – where as a child she served as president of the Red Cross youth service organization, volunteered as a candy-striper at her father’s base hospital and worked in the base library – to her multiple public service activities as an adult in Houston, Parker has truly exemplified a “guardian spirit,” continually working to improve and enhance the lives of others around her.

Parker has spent 13 years in service to the people of Houston – first on the City Council and six years as city controller, where she worked with Mayor Bill White to keep Houston moving forward with sound policy, not divisive politics. Her independent audits as city controller saved millions of dollars in waste that now fund after-school programs and senior centers. She was elected Houston mayor last November and took office in January.

One of her early official acts was to issue one of the most comprehensive non-discrimination orders in the nation. The order prohibits discrimination and/or retaliation on the basis of sexual orientation and/or gender identity at every level of municipal government, including hiring, contracting and/or access to city facilities and programs/activities. She also has been actively involved in the fight to stop the sale of goods associated with murderers, rapists and other violent criminals, known as "murderabilia."

Parker has spent six years of service on the Museum’s own Board of Directors and served on the boards of Girls Inc. and the advisory boards of the Houston Zoo, the Montrose Counseling Center, Bering Omega Community Services and Trees for Houston. She previously served as president of Houston’s Gay Political Caucus and as president of the Neartown Civic Association.

Previous Honorees:

  • Barbara and Gerald Hines
  • Marc J. Shapiro
  • Lester and Sue Smith
  • Sandra Weiner and Martin Fein
  • Naomi Warren and Fred Zeidman
  • Joan and Stanford Alexander
  • Ed Wulfe and H-E-B 
  • Jack Blanton and The Houston Chronicle
  • Linda P. Lay and Siegi Izakson
  • The Rev. William A. Lawson and Julie and Ben Rogers
  • Ron Stone
 Fact Sheet and Pledge Form
If You Believe
 
If you believe…
That a systematic destruction of a people should never happen…

If you believe…
That too many of our children are immersed in a culture of violence and intolerance…

If you believe…
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If you believe…
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Become a member of Holocaust Museum Houston.

Hours and Admission
 
The Museum is open to the public seven days a week. General admission is free.

Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday, Noon to 5 p.m.
First Thursday of each month, 5 to 8 p.m.


The Laurie and Milton Boniuk Resource Center and Library is open to the public from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. The Library is closed Saturdays and Sundays.

The Museum is closed for Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Easter Sunday, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. For other holiday hours, visit the "Events" tab on the Museum’s Web site at www.hmh.org.

Address and Directions
 
Holocaust Museum Houston

Morgan Family Center
5401 Caroline St.
Houston, TX 77004-6804
Phone: 713-942-8000

Holocaust Museum Houston is a member of the Houston Museum District Association and is located in Houston's Museum District.

Tours
 
Docent-led tours can be scheduled for schools and groups of 10 or more. Tours are available in Spanish, English and French. To arrange a docent-led tour, please call Visitor Services at 713-942-8000, ext. 302 or submit the form below.

Guided tours are available for all visitors on Saturday and Sunday. Weekend tours run at 12:30 p.m., 1:30 p.m., 2:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.

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Holocaust Museum Houston Morgan Family Center, 5401 Caroline St., Houston, TX 77004-6804, Tel: 713-942-8000, E-mail: info@hmh.org Powered by Nodus Solutions
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