• Awards announcement from the Department of State
• Remarks at the awards by Secretary Rice

Search for Common Ground Receives
Benjamin Franklin Award for Public Diplomacy
From U.S. Department of State

John Marks with Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice

Jazz musician and awardee Dave Brubeck

April 8. At a ceremony in the US State Department’s diplomatic reception rooms, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice presented the first Benjamin Franklin Awards for Public Diplomacy in the following four categories:

• Non-Profit Organizations: Search for Common Ground
• Individuals: Dave Brubeck, jazz legend
• Academic Institutions: University of Southern California
• Corporations: Johnson & Johnson

The Awards recognize “outstanding leadership” in offering “a positive vision of hope and opportunity rooted in America's belief in freedom, justice, opportunity and respect for all,” according to the State Department’s description. They are “the most prestigious honor that the Department of State can bestow on American citizens who are making outstanding contributions to public diplomacy.”

In presenting the Award to SFCG President John Marks, Secretary Rice “recognized Search for Common Ground for its pioneering work to promote American values of respect and tolerance.”

In receiving the Award, Marks said that he was particularly gratified to receive an award named after Benjamin Franklin. Marks stated, “In addition to having been a great diplomat, Franklin was an inventor and an innovator. I would like to think that our work is consistent with his spirit and that is why the State Department is honoring us. We are social entrepreneurs, committed to building a less violent, more peaceful world. Our work represents a privatization of public diplomacy. We are both an American and an international organization, with staff from 25 countries. Our toolbox includes diverse methodologies, all based on a simple idea: Understand the differences and act on the commonalities. I believe that Benjamin Franklin would have liked our approach.”

Dave Brubeck, in receiving his award, decided to forego words, and played a piece on the piano with great heart.

• Video link to Awards ceremony -- following Secretary Rice's comments, SFCG is at 5 mins. 35 sec.
• The Department of State's awards announcement

Benjamin Franklin Awardees with Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice