B.W. COOK -- The Crowd

There are those who stand up and demand to be counted in Orange County

as citizens of a higher purpose. They want to be known for more than

their politics. They want to be known for rejecting the face of bigotry,

racism, religious intolerance and, instead, be the champions of

“promoting respect, understanding and dialogue among people of all

backgrounds.”

This is the purpose of the National Conference for Community and

Justice, Orange County Region. Just before the holidays, the conference

met at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Irvine for a gala dinner to salute

local individuals whose lives are testaments to human understanding.

Marian Bergeson, a 40-year resident of Newport Beach and a retired

state senator, has been a longtime advocate of public education.

Bergeson’s regard for children’s issues has put her in the tempest storm

more than a few times during a distinguished career that has transcended

the political divide. Among her legislative bills were calls for

reformation of the teacher credentialing process and a “one strike you’re

out” policy for violent or habitual sex offenders in the state.

Also honored for their lifelong pursuit of justice and open

communication were Milton Gordon, president of Cal State Fullerton, and

Safi Qureshey, founder of a company known as Irvine Ventures Inc.

Co-chaired by Harriett Wieder, a retired Orange County supervisor, and

Loren Pannier, vice president of Carl Karcher Enterprises, the evening

attracted some 425 guests, making up a diverse cross-section of the

community.

In the end, $112,000 was raised to support conference youth programs

throughout the county, including two important conference projects known

as Knowledge and Social Responsibility Program 2001 and Interfaith Youth

Celebration.

Locals dedicated to such programs include Thomas Thorkelson, Laura

Benz, Leslie Purdy, Greg Lubushkin, Cliff Ishigaki, Jill Bolton, Giles

Brown, Joan Clark, Reggie Front, Ed Griffith, Bernard King, John Rach,

Anthony Rivera, Ann Stern and Xuan Vu, to list only a few.

Founded in 1927 as the National Conference of Christians and Jews, the

group now known as the National Conference for Community and Justice,

changed its name to include the rainbow of American religious diversity

with the goal of promoting peace through conflict resolution, advocacy

and education.

The conference is about standing for what you believe and allowing

others to their beliefs, while sharing information to prevent conflict.

It is a noble purpose. A purpose not easily attained.

If there is to be peace in our community, our nation, our world in

2001, it will only come through a united front against bigotry and a firm

hand on dialogue. From the Orange County chapter of the conference to the

Middle East peace talks, the message is clear: Speak from the heart,

speak from a platform of factual material and listen carefully to

divergent ideas and opinion. Answers will come.

* THE CROWD appears Thursdays and Saturdays.