George Regan Honored with Anti-Defamation League 2009 Distinguished Community Service Award Dinner

The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) - New England Region recently honored George K. Regan, Jr., founder and chairman of Regan Communications Group with its 2009 Distinguished Community Service Award.

The ADL's annual Distinguished Community Service Award Dinner was held Wednesday, September 9, 2009, at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum in Boston.

The dinner had more than 650 guests in attendance including, Congressman William Delahunt, Massachusetts Senate President Therese Murray, House Speaker Robert DeLeo, Treasurer Tim Cahill, Secretary of State William Galvin, Boston Mayor Thomas Menino and First Lady, Angela. Quincy Mayor Thomas Koch, New England Patriots Owner Robert Kraft, Celtics co-owner Robert Epstein and his wife, ADL Board Chair Esta Epstein, President of SBLI, Robert Sheridan, Suffolk Construction founder John Fish, Bank of America- MA Bob Gallery, WBZ Radio Host Dan Rea, and Former Boston night entertainment legend Patrick Lyons. Former Ambassador to Tanzania and current Director of African Archives and Research at Boston University, Reverend Charles Stith acted as master of ceremonies.

Proceeds from the event will be used to support ADL programming throughout the year, which not only assists communities in reacting when a hate crime takes place, but educates and connects diverse groups of young people and adults to break down barriers and building bridges of understanding.

"The theme of this year's dinner is 'Voices of Leadership: Inspiring Communities of Change,' and is fitting as George has for decades given a message and a voice to many worthy organizations who would not have had this opportunity without his support" said Derrek L. Shulman, New England Regional Director of the Anti-Defamation League. "For more than three decades, first in government and then as an active civic leader and a strong supporter of various charitable organizations, George has personified the profound commitment to public service that our award is intended to honor."

ADL's National Director Abe Foxman had this to say about the honoree, "We are pleased to recognize George's work and the many contributions he has made to the greater Boston community. He is a straight shooter, and tells it like it is. George is a consummate problem solver and available 24/7 to lend his expertise and provide counsel."

Former Boston Police Commissioner, now Chief of Police in Los Angeles and long time friend of Regan, William J. Bratton flew in from LA with his wife, author and TV personality, attorney Rikki Klieman for the event. The award was presented by Bratton, "The safety of our communities is in great measure dependent on their health. The hard work and contributions of leaders such as George Regan and organizations like the ADL, make our communities better places to live, but safer as well. I'm pleased to be back here in my home town to help honor George and his commitment to this city."

Mr. Regan said, "I've been blessed, and have benefited from the support and counsel of others my entire life. I think each of us has an obligation to return in even greater measure what we have received, and I've tried hard to live up to that ideal. I'm proud, and humbled, that the Anti-Defamation League for this recognition."

Mr. Regan, a lifelong Quincy resident and seasonal Palm Beach Gardens resident, is the founder and chairman of Regan Communications Group, which is celebrating its 25 th Anniversary. It is New England's largest privately owned PR firm and the sixth-largest privately-owned public relations firm in the country, with more than 100 clients and six offices-Boston, New York, Florida, Cape Cod, Connecticut and Rhode Island.

The firm's client base is a "Who's Who" of leading Boston-area companies in business, sports and entertainment, including, Bank of America, Suffolk Construction, Legal Sea Foods, RE/MAX, New Balance Athletic Shoe, SBLI, Davio's, The Boston Celtics, The Abbey Group, WEEI-AM, Boston Magazine, Dunkin' Donuts, Mohegan Sun, MSPCA and Suffolk University.

An active civic leader, Mr. Regan served as a prominent official in the administration of Boston Mayor Kevin White for 11 years as director of communications for the City of Boston. He worked on numerous presidential campaigns; serving as national advance person for President Jimmy Carter's successful 1976 campaign.

In addition to his business affiliations, Mr. Regan has supported charitable organizations including The American Liver Foundation, Carroll Center for the Blind, Courageous Sailing Center, Franciscan Hospital for Children, Urban College of Boston, Perkins School for the Blind, and the Sports Museum. A passionate animal lover, Mr. Regan is also active in animal rights causes.

Mr. Regan has been recognized in the past for his charitable work as the American Liver Foundation's Man of the Year, Franciscan Children's Hospital & Rehabilitation Center Man of the Year and the ARC of Greater Boston's Rose Pessin Memorial Award. In 2007, the Child Welfare League of America named Mr. Regan as a Corporate Friend of Children.

The Anti-Defamation League, founded in 1913, is the world's leading organization fighting anti-Semitism through programs and services that counteract hatred, prejudice and bigotry. Information about the New England office's programs and initiatives is available on the Web at http://regions.adl.org/new-england/.