The Romanian Ambassador to the United States, H.E. Sorin Ducaru attended the
OUTSTANDING CITIZEN ACHIEVEMENT CITATION CEREMONY
for Mrs. Leslie Hawke, organized by the U.S.agency for International Development,
BUREAU FOR EUROPE & EURASIA

New York, January 10, 2005

Ambassador Sorin Ducaru, Ms. Leslie Hawke, Ms. Maria Gheorghiu and Actor Ethan Hawke

On the evening of January 10th, 2005 at New York University, Ms. Leslie Hawke, founder and administrator of “Gata, Dispus si Capabil”(Ready,Willing and Able), based in Bacau and Bucharest,Romania, was recognized with the Outstanding Citizen Achievement Citation from the US Agency for International Development (USAID).

Ms.Hawke has created an innovative and highly effective program that provides Roma street children and their families with the skills, tools and support needed to break the cycle of marginalization and poverty. As a direct result, hundreds of at-risk families have developed the capabilities and confidence to transition from crisis to stable,self-sufficiency. Ms.Hawke is being recognized for her extraordinary volunteer efforts to help these most vulnerable members of Romanian society become active agents of social change.
The USAID Outstanding Citizen Achievement Citation recognizes and highlights volunteerism in an overseas development context.USAID’s goal with this citation is to increase public awareness of individuals and organizations that are working to further the mission of USAID in the United States and abroad.Recipients of this citation are honored for achievements which have contributed to the realization of USAID’s mission to provide economic development and humanitarian assistance around the world.

The Ambassador of Romania to the United States, Sorin Ducaru delivered the following speech at the event that honored Leslie Hawke.