First Amendment Award for Congressman Pete Stark
January 25, 2003
Every year, American Atheists state director Dave Kong presents awards to the California members and others who helped to further the cause of state/church separation. In 2002, U.S. Congressmen Mike Honda and Pete Stark were honored with the First Amendment award for their courageous refusal to endorse the resolution condemning the Pledge decision issued by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in June.
Mr. Stark was unable to attend the awards ceremony hosted by San Francisco Atheists in December, but his staff graciously arranged for the award to be presented to Mr. Stark before a Town Hall meeting in San Leandro on January 25, 2003. SFA members Jim Heldberg, Tom Maley and Dave Fitzgerald accompanied Mr. Kong to present the award and give Mr. Stark a warm welcome to San Leandro.