Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, September 6, 1995 TAG: 9509070035
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: 9 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: FROM WIRE REPORTS
DATELINE: LENGTH: Short
Poitier, who won the best actor Oscar for 1963's ``Lilies of the Field,'' said: ``This career of mine has produced over and above what one would consider the basics of life.And this award says to me that, at least in the mind of some of my contemporaries, I may in some small measure be worthy of such consideration.''
Simon, noting that previous Kennedy winners include Arthur Miller and Tennessee Williams, said: ``To be in that company is pretty rarefied air.'' All the recipients, who'll get a White House reception, are in their 60s.
Jerry Lewis' Labor Day telethon took in a record $47.8 million, $700,000 more than last year. About 25 wheelchair-bound protesters made a fuss outside the telethon's Los Angeles studio, crashing through barricades and blocking limos. Polio victim Bill Bolt said only $1 of every $6 is spent on medical research, accused Muscular Dystrophy Association executives of paying themselves $300,000 salaries, and claimed handicapped parking at the studio was eliminated to erect tents and trailers for stars. ``We want them to stop this charity racket,'' Bolt said.
A MDA spokesman said 84 cents of every dollar goes to patient care and research. But Cary Cifra, head of the Alliance for Research Accountability, said only 16 percent of MDA's funds directly benefit victims of the malady.
by CNB