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AFTRA Foundation To Honor Legendary Artists Smokey Robinson, Vin
Scully, Jeanne Cooper, And Don La Fontaine

LOS ANGELES (Top40 Charts/ AFTRA) - The American Federation of
Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA), the people who entertain and
inform America, announced that the AFTRA Foundation will honor
recording artist Smokey Robinson, broadcaster Vin Scully, actress
Jeanne Cooper, and voiceover artist Don LaFontaine at the AFTRA Media
and Entertainment Excellence Awards (The AMEES), at a dinner gala
event at the Millennium Biltmore Hotel in Los Angeles on March 9, 2009.

The AMEES recognize members of AFTRA, a national labor union of more
than 70,000 performers, journalists, and other artists working in the
entertainment and news media, who have made a significant contribution
to American culture.
The AMEES were created in 2003 to honor AFTRA members for excellence
in their craft and their contributions to the fields of media and
entertainment. Proceeds from the 2009 AMEE Awards go to benefit the
AFTRA Foundation, a separate and independent non-profit organization
providing support to charitable and educational endeavors.

"The AFTRA Foundation is proud to honor AFTRA members Smokey Robinson,
Vin Scully, Jeanne Cooper, and Don LaFontaine for their lifetime of
achievements that have entertained and informed audiences around the
world," said Shelby Scott, AFTRA Foundation President and former AFTRA
National President.

Don LaFontaine, "King of Voiceovers," who passed away on September 1,
2008, at the age of 68 will be posthumously presented with a special
AMEE Tribute Award in Voiceover Artistry. A longtime AFTRA member, Don
was the voice of ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, UPN, TNT, TBS, and the Cartoon
Network. He was the in-show announcer for the Academy Awards, and his
unmistakable voice has been heard in hundreds of thousands of movie
trailers, radio spots, and TV commercials including advertisements for
Chevrolet, Pontiac, Ford, Budweiser, McDonalds, Coke, and many others.
"Don will be fondly remembered by all of us who understand and
appreciate that performers behind-the-camera give life and color to
the stories onscreen," observed AFTRA National President Roberta
Reardon. "He was both busy and prolific during his 40-year career, and
he always had time and a kind word for his fellow union members. He
always supported his union. He will never be forgotten." Don's wife
and fellow AFTRA member, singer-songwriter and actress Nita Whitaker,
will accept the award on his behalf.

Source:
http://top40-charts.com/news/Charts-Awards/AFTRA-Foundation-To-Honor-Legendary-A\
rtists-Smokey-Robinson-Vin-Scully-Jeanne-Cooper-And-Don-La-Fontaine/45895.html
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