FAIR HOUSING OF MARIN ANNOUNCES THE WINNERS OF ITS 2003 FAIR HOUSING POSTER CONTEST

Contact: Adriana Ames, Education Director, 415/457-2390

(April 29, 2003) - In celebration of National Fair Housing Month, the 35th anniversary of the Nation's first Fair Housing Act and the 40th anniversary of California's first Fair Housing law, Fair Housing of Marin presented its annual Fair Housing Poster Contest Award Ceremony for the 2003 winners and their families, teachers and classmates today before the Marin County Board of Supervisors.

The theme of the Contest this year was "THE WORLD: A RAINBOW OF FRIENDS."

The 2003 winners are:

Michael Cavanagh (8th. Grade), Timothy Murphy School
Sandrena Frischer (6th. Grade), Mill Valley Middle School
Milton Gallo (3rd. Grade), Women Helping all People
Sebastian Gallegos (3rd. Grade), Our Lady of Loretto
April Flores Gama (3rd. Grade), Our Lady of Loretto
Victor Gutierrez (7th. Grade), Timothy Murphy school
Cornelius Hoover (6th. Grade), Women Helping All People
Kali N. Jones (3rd. Grade), Marin Waldorf School
Ashley Montgomery (6th. Grade), Novato Youth Center
Michael Zanides (3rd. Grade), Our Lady of Loretto
Rosa Guzman, (5th. Grade), Canal Ministry
Josephina Pillado (3rd. Grade), Bayside Elementary
Kiara Polk (Grade: K), Bayside Elementary

Mary Jane Burke, Marin County Superintendent of Schools, was Mistress of Ceremonies for the event. Annette Rose, President of the Board of Supervisors, read a proclamation declaring April Fair Housing Month in Marin County. Chris Raker, Mayor of Mill Valley, read a similar proclamation from his city and seven other cities, including Belvedere, Fairfax, Novato, San Rafael, San Anselmo, Sausalito and Tiburon.

Susan Sheftel, District Administrator, California Department of Fair Employment and Housing, presented Fair Housing of Marin with an award from Governor Gray Davis for their outstanding work in the fair housing field.

The winners received their prizes from Dave Fahrner, President, Marin Association of Realtors; Pearlene Leary, Marin County Human Rights Commission; Dr. Lois Moore, Trustee, Marin Community Foundation; and Tom Wilson, Executive Director, Canal Community Alliance. Fair Housing of Marin's staff prizes were presented by Jane Shandler, Fair Housing of Marin Training Director.

In addition, the winners received Certificates of Recognition from Senator John Burton's District Coordinator Margie Goodman, and Assemblyman Joe Nation's District Director, Judi Joseph. Gumby, in all his green glory, made a cameo appearance.

Judges for the contest this year were Carole Hayashino, San Francisco State University Associate Vice President, Richard Marcantonio, Director of Litigation, Legal Aid of the North Bay, and Ricardo Moncrief, Chair, ISOJI. The Poster Contest this year was funded by: Frank Howard Allen Realtors with prizes donated by the Marin Association of Realtors.

Fair Housing of Marin provides counseling, investigative services, mediation and legal or administrative referrals to persons experiencing housing discrimination. There is no charge for these services. Others who feel they may be the victims of this type of housing discrimination are encouraged to call Fair Housing of Marin at (415) 457-5025.