THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, October 8, 1995 TAG: 9510060197
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 11 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY GREG GOLDFARB, CORRESPONDENT
LENGTH: Medium: 59 lines
Angel L. Morales would like to be able to tell the world that prejudice, bigotry and discrimination don't exist in Virginia Beach.
But, he can't.
``I think there are (problems) in Virginia Beach,'' said Morales, a former chairman of the Virginia Beach Human Rights Commission. ``Everyone deserves to get what is fair for any human being to get. I'm not saying that they all deserve it, but what's fair is fair.''
Morales, a retired U.S. Army diplomat and Great Neck resident, is one of the city's most active community volunteers.
A native of Puerto Rico who moved to Virginia Beach 10 years ago, Morales has always been proud of Virginia Beach and its numerous amenities, including its high quality of life and low crime rate.
But he expects a lot more from one of the nation's fastest growing cities, and he has come to serve as a constant reminder to the city and the community of their collective and constant need to continue welcoming and preparing for a steadily burgeoning multicultural population.
``I have always been an advocate of human rights,'' said Morales, 60. ``Being Hispanic, I have experienced certain types of discrimination along the way, and I have seen people discriminated against.''
As a result of Morales' volunteer service to the city and commitment to human rights, last year the Human Rights Commission gave him one of its inaugural Human Rights Awards for his service in the pursuit of cultural diversity, social awareness, equal opportunity and human rights advocacy.
``I never expected a thing,'' said Morales, who is no longer a Human Rights Commission member but who was recently named to a two-year term as chairman of the Virginia Beach Arts and Humanities Commission's first-ever multicultural committee. ``I worked like I never worked before when I was on the commission and that little bit of recognition doesn't hurt anyone.''
Morales was one of about 20 people and groups nominated last year for public recognition by the Human Rights Commission, which recently announced that it is now accepted nominations from the Virginia Beach community for its 1995 Human Rights Awards Program.
Deadline for nominations is Nov. 10 and awards will be presented in three categories: individual, including youth and adult; community groups and organizations; and businesses.
``There are so many people who deserve some kind of recognition,'' said Sylvia Primm, a commission member. ``Those who are nominated, but don't receive awards, will get certificates of appreciation.''
Awards and certificates will be presented during an open forum on affirmative action that the commission has slated for Dec. 11 from 7 to 9:30 p.m. at the Virginia Beach Center for the Arts. Scheduled during National Human Rights Week, the forum is free and open to the public. MEMO: For award program guidelines, nomination forms and more information on
the Virginia Beach Human Rights Commission, call the Virginia Beach
Department of Human Resources at 427-8374 or 427-8042. by CNB