Citizens Union’s 2007 Awards Dinner:
A Fine Occasion and Successful Event

	"Why do we care about good government? We care not just because good government is inherently the right thing; we care because good government encourages people to participate in the political process and participation in the political process by more of our citizens is critical to a healthy democracy." — Richard J. Davis, Chair, CU and CUF
	"This year working with Citizens Union we enacted groundbreaking pay to play campaign finance reform laws… I’ve always believed that we deserve a government that is accountable, ethical, transparent and even-handed and that is why the Citizens Union was founded all those years ago and why they are still here today." — Mayor Michael Bloomberg
	"Incumbency retention in the New York State Legislature is 97% . That means that 97% of the time an incumbent runs for relection he or she is reelected. Citizens Union will be launching a crusade to end partisan gerrymandering… We have got to end the self dealing in drawing legislative districts by creating a nonpartisan redistricting commission to draw those lines… " — Robert Abrams, President, CUF

On Tuesday, October 23rd, Citizens Union held its 2007 Awards Dinner at the Waldorf=Astoria. Mayor Bloomberg, City Council Speaker Quinn, former state Attorney General and Citizens Union Foundation President Robert Abrams along with other elected officials, business leaders Don Marron, Cathleen Black, and George Kaufman, and numerous other civic leaders joined the boards of Citizens Union and Citizens Union Foundation to honor four great New York City leaders.

	Alexandra Lebenthal received the Business Leadership Award for her extraordinary leadership in building a thriving business climate, and making New York City a better place to live and work.
	Diana L. Taylor was presented with the Civic Leadership Award for her countless contributions and exemplary leadership in building a vibrant civic life in the City of New York.
	Patricia M. Hynes & Roy L. Reardon were honored with the Robert F. Wagner Jr. Award for their exemplary leadership and service to all New Yorkers ensuring legal services for New Yorkers in need, greater accessibility of the courts and much more.

CU extends its thanks to everyone who contributed to the success of the 2007 Citizens Union Awards Dinner for their generous support and for helping to advance good government reforms.

Photo credit Julienne Shaer

2007 Citizens Union Awards Dinner

On Tuesday, October 23rd Citizens Union will honor four great New Yorkers at our Award Dinner at the Waldorf= Astoria :

• Diana L. Taylor - Civic Leadership Award
Citizens Union is delighted to honor Diana L. Taylor, Managing Director at Wolfensohn & Company, for her extensive service to New Yorkers as the former Superintendent of New York State Banks, as Governor Pataki’s Deputy Secretary for Finance and Housing, and as Chair of the Hudson River Park Trust. Prior to joining government, Diana was a senior executive at KeySpan Energy, the Long Island Power Authority, M. R. Beal & Co., and several other investment banking firms.

• Alexandra Lebenthal – Business Leadership Award
For her leadership and contributions to the business and civic life of New York , Citizen Union will honor Alexandra Lebenthal, president and CEO of Alexandra & James, Co. The former CEO of Lebenthal & Company, a municipal bond company founded by her grandparents, Alexandra was one of the few female Presidents on Wall Street. She was named one of " New York ’s 100 Most Influential Women" by Crain’s New York Business in 1999.

• Patricia M. Hynes & Roy L. Reardon - Robert F. Wagner Jr.
For their work to make New York ’s courts accessible and responsive, Citizens Union will honor Patricia M. Hynes, senior counsel with Allen & Overy and Roy Reardon, partner with Simpson Thacher & Bartlett. As immediate past Chair of New York’s Legal Aid Society, Pat is credited with saving this vital civic organization from bankruptcy and maintaining its essential public services to the poor. As an advocate, mediator and author, Roy has worked for improvement in the courts, adding greatly to the fair, effective and independent administration of justice in New York State , as well as advancing the rights of disabled by arguing successfully before the U.S. Supreme Court.

Click here to view the dinner invitation. If you are interesting in supporting our Awards Dinner by purchasing a table, tickets or contributing, please click here or for more information, contact Sara Stuart.