FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE MONDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2002 WWW.USDOJ.GOV OLP (202) 616-2777 TDD (202) 514-1888 WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Assistant Attorney General for Legal Policy Viet D. Dinh received the Liberty Award from the Institute for Corean-American Studies (ICAS), the Justice Department announced today. The award is given annually to individuals whose work promotes American values, international cooperation, peace and prosperity. Past recipients include U.S. Congressmen Tony Hall and Curt Weldon, Nobel Laureate Lawrence R. Klein, and Assistant Secretary of State Harold Koh. Synja P Kim, President and Chairman of ICAS, commended Dinh for his "outstanding courage, his leadership in the government during a time of crisis, his achievements as a lawyer, academic, and public servant, his sustaining contribution to defend conservative American values, and his exceptional commitment to advancing American values." "I am honored to receive this award from such a distinguished organization with a strong record of defending freedom and promoting liberty," Dinh said. "Given the important contributions made by previous recipients of the award, it is truly humbling to be recognized." In a speech Friday before the ICAS at their Annual Liberty Award Dinner in Blue Bell, PA, Dinh discussed the importance of citizenship and civic responsibility in the United States after September 11th, and the relationship of civic responsibility to protecting liberty and maintaining the rule of law. ICAS is a non-profit, non-partisan, and private educational and research organization located in Blue Bell, Pennsylvania. It is dedicated to promoting enhanced cooperation and the pursuit of peace and prosperity in association with people of mutual interests, with special emphasis on multilateral relations between the United States and Asia-Pacific Rim nations. Its membership includes individuals from various sectors, including academic, corporate, cultural, educational, international and other fields. It maintains a roster of 65 ICAS Fellows from around the world. More information about ICAS can be found at www.ICASinc.org ### 02-744 ( Return to ICAS Bulletins Page )