The Constitutional Rights Foundation Chicago will mark its 30th anniversary by honoring two remarkable Chicago attorneys, George N. Leighton and Earl L. Neal, at CRFC's annual Bill of Rights in Action Awards Benefit on Wednesday, September 22 from 5:30 to 7:30 PM at the Union League Club of Chicago, 65 West Jackson Boulevard.

The Constitutional Rights Foundation Chicago is proud to honor George N. Leighton and Earl L. Neal at its annual Bill of Rights in Action Awards Benefit on September 22, 2004 at the Union League Club of Chicago.

Each year, CRFC presents the award to honor those individuals and organizations who, through their professional and community endeavors, provide exemplary models of citizenship for our nation's youth. "It is particularly fitting to honor these two remarkable men during the year celebrating the 50th anniversary of Brown v. the Board of Education," said Alex Dimitrief, Chair of the CRFC Board of Directors and a partner and Kirkland & Ellis LLP. "Both have stories to share from a time that must be remembered."

A graduate of Howard University and Harvard Law School, Leighton has served as Judge of the Circuit Court of Cook County, the Illinois Appellate Court, and United States District Court. He served as the Chairman of the Chicago Branch, NAACP's Legal Redress Committee, Political Action Committee, and two-term President of the entire Chicago Branch, NAACP. In 1964, Leighton became a Life Member. During his chairmanship of the Legal Redress Committee, he was indicted for inciting a riot when he advised an African American couple that they were within their rights to sign a lease in Cicero. Thurgood Marshall successfully defended him against these charges. In 1951, Leighton founded the law firm Moore, Ming & Leighton, considered one of the largest predominantly Black law firms in the U.S. He withdrew from the firm in 1964 when he was elected as judge of the Circuit Court of Cook County.

Neal, the son of Chicago attorney Earl James Neal, joined his father's law firm (Neal & Neal) in 1955. Their first trial together forced the two men to commute to Lincoln, Illinois, nearly 170 miles away from Chicago, because Lincoln had no hotels that would admit African Americans. In 1975, Neal was elected president of the University of Illinois Board of Trustees, making him the first African American trustee in the U.S. During his twelve-year tenure, he helped guide debates over issues of minority medical school recruitment and the provision of health services. Neal is the recipient of a host of honors and awards, including the Robert S. Abbott Memorial Award, the Justice John Paul Stevens Award, and the Defender of Justice Award.

Each year CRFC presents the Bill of Rights in Action Award to honor those individuals and organizations who, through their professional and community endeavors, provide exemplary models of citizenship for our nation's youth.

Non-profit and non-partisan, CRFC has conducted democracy education programs in Chicago and across the country since 1974.

Individual tickets for the Benefit are $75, and contributions are accepted at a variety of levels. Tickets for the Benefit are $75. Tickets for educators are $50 and include up to two students. Contact Margie Chan at (312) 663-9057 or chan@crfc.org .

Last updated: August 27, 2004

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