This past Thursday (October 3rd), George Clooney was honored with the USC Shoah Foundations Ambassador for Humanity Award. Steven Spielberg presented Clooney with the award at the Ambassadors for Humanity gala, which was held at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City. TV talk show host John Stewart hosted the gala and Gravity co-star Sandra Bullock was also there to cheer George on.
A great picture from last night @USC President C. L. Max Nikias, his wife, Clooney, Spielberg & @StephensTweets pic.twitter.com/OHeJS7s3ns
— USC Shoah Foundation (@USCShoahFdn) October 4, 2013
According to CBS Local, Clooney was recognized for his humanitarian work around the world, especially his work in Darfur. Spielberg praised Clooney, “George is the best kind of humanitarian. The humble humanitarian," calling him, “an unparalleled example of action over apathy.”
Clooney returned the compliment in his speech to the donors, praising Spielberg for his work documenting the testimonies of Holocaust survivors and calling attention to the fact that the gala marked the 20th anniversary of Spielberg's multi-Oscar (7, to be exact) winning film, Schindler's List, “We have to be able to keep a record of what the powerful can do to the powerless."
The Huffington Post and other sources confirm that the gala raised $3.7 million for the Shoah Foundation, which will be put towards the Foundation's Visual History Archive and spreading awareness of genocide.