WARREN, Mich., May 9 /PRNewswire/ -- Edward Deeb, native Detroiter and president and CEO of the Michigan Food and Beverage Association, and the Michigan Business and Professional Association, headquartered in Warren, MI, was awarded the Ellis Island Medal of Honor, at ceremonies on Ellis Island in New York City May 10. The two large associations have more than 20,000 members who employ more than 160,000 persons.
The Ellis Island Medal of Honor is awarded annually to a group of distinguished Americans who exemplify a life dedicated to community service. The honorees also must dedicate themselves to support and defend the values of American life, and build bridges between ethnic, racial, and religious groups in the United States and/or abroad.
In addition, the honorees are cited for sharing their personal and professional gifts for the benefit of humanity, and preserve and celebrate the history, traditions and values of their ancestry groups
Deeb, who resides in Bloomfield Hills, said he was notified of his nomination for the award in February, and contacted in April to announce he would be one of the recipients of the award.
"It is a high honor and a gratifying feeling to be recognized by a prominent national organization. There are so many deserving individuals from Michigan who would easily qualify for this recognition," Deeb said
Deeb, who is celebrating his 46th year of helping and coaching thousands of small and medium-sized businesses, has been a prominent and energetic Detroit cheerleader and spokesman for businesses and our community.
The formal black tie event took place on Ellis Island. Following the awards ceremony, the honorees and their families and friends boarded a ferry and saw a spectacular fireworks show surrounding the Statue of Liberty.
SOME OF THE AWARDS AND HONORS RECEIVED BY ED DEEB OVER THE YEARS TO HELP
IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF LIFE
-- Point of Light Award from President George H.W. Bush and the Points of
Light Foundation, 1991.
-- Honorary Doctor of Laws degree from Detroit College of Law, and
Davenport University, 1997
-- Distinguished Alumni Award from Michigan State University, 1998.
-- Outstanding alumni Award, MSU College of Communication Arts and
Sciences; and named a conference room after Mr. Deeb in its building,
2002
-- Inducted into the International Heritage Hall of Fame, 1997.
-- Named Michiganian of the Year by The Detroit News, 2002.
-- Recipient of the Heart of Gold Award from United Way for Southeast
Michigan, 2003.
-- Received the Distinguished Warriors Award from the Detroit Urban
League.
-- Received "The Others" Award for Distinguished Service from The
Salvation Army, 2006.
-- Recipient of the George Romney Award for Lifetime Achievement in
Volunteerism.
-- Received the Closing the Gap Award from New Detroit, Inc., 2005.
-- Recipient of the Peacemaker of the Year Award from Wayne State
University, 2007.
-- Distinguished Service Award from Detroit Public Television, Channel 56,
2007.
-- Was made an Honorary Member of the Marine Corps, 2007, by General
Bailey of the Pentagon.
-- Lifetime Achievement Award from the Boy Scouts of America, Detroit
Chapter, for co-founding the Scouting for the Handicapped program in
1984.
-- Recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award from Eastern Market
Association, 2008
-- Awarded the Ellis Island Medal of Honor, 2008.
Contact: Susan Rabideau
(586) 393-8800
-or- (313) 515 8900 cell
Michigan Business and Professional Association
