Wednesday night, Kimmel Carter Founding Partner Morton Kimmel spoke to an audience of nearly 300 people at the inaugural Beau Biden SHIELD Award Ceremony. The award, which was established by the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), honored 26 law enforcement officers in in Delaware, eastern Pennsylvania and southern New Jersey, including 11 Delaware state police officers. Honorees were recognized for their contributions to protecting the American people from hate crimes, extremism, and domestic and international terrorism, and for protecting civil rights. The awards were named after the late Delaware Attorney General Joseph R. “Beau” Biden, III, who was hailed as a tireless advocate for civil and human rights and was also a close friend of the Kimmels.
Those in attendance included Senator Tom Carper, Attorney General Matt Denn, Wilmington Mayor Mike Purzycki, New Castle County Executive Matt Meyer, and Delaware State Police Col. Nathaniel McQueen. The Master of Ceremonies was 6ABC news anchor Jim Gardner, who presented the awards.
Guest of honor Joe Biden echoed his late son’s beliefs when he spoke at the ceremony. “Not only is it the responsibility of government to not discriminate, but [also] to use the power of government to intervene when discrimination occurs. And that's what these people we’re honoring tonight do.” Biden also thanked Mr. Kimmel for supporting law enforcement and for his efforts to improve the state and the lives of Delawareans.
Mr. Kimmel, who is on the SHIELD Award committee, is also the founder and President of the First State Police Foundation, which aims to address and aid public safety in local communities. At the ceremony, he commended ADL for their efforts to combat hate and discrimination, and for advocating for justice and fair treatment for all.
Kimmel Carter would like to express our sincere gratitude and support for the officers who were recognized last night, as well as all law enforcement in the state, for continuing to protect the people of Delaware.
