Robert Currie Receives Ellis Island Medal of Honor

On May 12, 2017 the National Ethnic Coalition of Organizations (NECO) hosted the 31st annual Ellis Island Medals of Honor Ceremony on Ellis Island where ninetyeight medalists were recognized for their leadership and service within their own ethnic groups while exemplifying the values of the American way of life. Among them was Summit resident Robert Currie.
Robert ‘Bob’ Currie is a respected leader in the philanthropic and cultural heritage community. Some of the many programs he has led or supported include, the Children’s Aid Society of New York, the British Soldiers Fund, the USO and the Community Food Bank of New Jersey. In response to Hurricane Katrina, Currie produced “No One is Alone: A Concert for Hope,” which raised funds to support emergency relief efforts in the Gulf Coast. He was also actively involved in Superstorm Sandy relief efforts.
From 1993 to 2002, he served as Chairman of the Ethnic Advisory Council for the State of New Jersey. Robert was appointed by Governor Whitman to the NJ Advisory Committee on the Preservation and Use of Ellis Island in 1998. In 2000, the committee’s work developed into the Save Ellis Island Foundation where Mr. Currie currently serves as Director and Secretary. Robert is responsible for all aspects of internal and external communications, including employee communications, public relations, and crisis communications for the J.M. Huber Corporation.
The ceremony honored a number of today’s leaders such as former astronaut Buzz Aldrin, Ohio governor John Kasich, Chairman and CEO of PepsiCo. Indra Nooyi, TV host and journalist Fareed Zakaria, CEO of HSNi Mindy Grossman, former actress Sherry Lansing, and Chef and restaurateur Thomas Keller. This year, four international honorees were given an International Ellis Island Medal of Honor including activist Malala Yousafzai and Chobani Chairman and CEO Hamdi Ulukaya.
The medal recognizes individuals who have made it their mission to share with those less fortunate their wealth of knowledge, indomitable courage, boundless compassion, unique talents and selfless generosity; all while maintaining the traditions of their ethnic heritage as they uphold the ideals and spirit of America. Since the Medal was founded in 1986, NECO has honored such distinguished and diverse Americans including: seven Presidents of the United States; Nobel Prize recipient Elie Wiesel, Generals Norman Schwarzkopf and Colin Powell, Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, Secretaries of State, Madeline Albright, Condoleezza Rice and Hillary Clinton, Bob Hope, Muhammad Ali, Frank Sinatra, Rosa Parks, Yue-Sai Kan, Mike Wallace and Mia Farrow, all of whom have distinguished themselves through their significant philanthropic and humanitarian contributions to this country.
“I am honored to be joining such a distinguished list of leaders representing all corners of the globe,” said Currie. “I must admit to having a unique affinity with this special place ever since Governor Whitman asked me to join her Advisory Committee on developing best practices to help secure the stabilization and preservation of the many buildings on the South Side of Ellis Island.”
The Ellis Island Medal of Honor ranks among the nation’s most renowned awards. The U.S. Senate and House of Representatives have officially recognized the Ellis Island Medals of Honor, and each year the recipients are listed in the Congressional Record. To see the full list of 2017 recipients, please visit: www.neco.org.