Herman Chanen Of The Chanen Companies -- Phoenix, Arizona -- Receives "The Ellis Island Medal Of Honor"

PHOENIX, June 22, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Herman Chanen, Founder and Chairman of Chanen Construction Company, Inc. (www.chanen.com) was honored by NECO (the National Ethnic Coalition of Organizations) with the Ellis Island Medal of Honor.

Each year the Medals are given to those who have strived to provide economic opportunities for and preserve the diversity of the American people. These recipients foster tolerance, respect and understanding among religious and ethnic groups.

Mr. Chanen joins other distinguished recipients, both in years past, such as Lee Iacocca, Walter Cronkite, Jacqueline Kennedy-Onasis, Rosa Parks, Bob Hope, Joe DiMaggio, Muhammad Ali and Barbara Walters (to name but a few) and in the present year, Mr. Chanen was additionally honored to receive his medal alongside such notable recipients as The Honorable Gregory W. Meeks, General Raymond T. Odierno, Vice Admiral Robert F. Dunn, USN (Ret.), Ray Charles "Sugar Ray" Leonard, Frankie Valli and Brook Shields at the May 12th, 2012 ceremonies held on Ellis Island.

Established in 1986 by NECO, the Ellis Island Medals of Honor pay tribute to the ancestry groups that comprise America's unique cultural mosaic. A gala dinner in the historic Great Hall on Ellis Island follows the moving ceremony. As a grand finale, a majestic fireworks display illuminates the sky and America's symbol of freedom, the Statue of Liberty.

Chanen Construction Company, Inc., founded in 1955, is a leader in the US construction industry with a record of successful commercial projects. Chanen Construction is a long-time member of Engineering News Record's (http://enr.construction.com/toplists/contractors/001-100.asp)top contractors in the nation and is ranked number two contractor in the Southwest according to Southwest Contractor(http://southwest.construction.com). Noteworthy Chanen construction projects include: Midwestern University Medical School Campuses in Glendale, Arizona and Downer's Grove, Illinois; the $4.2B Bond and Non-bond program for the University of North Carolina's 16 campuses; Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport - Barry M. Goldwater Terminal IV; Talking Stick Resort (Scottsdale) and the Lloyd D. George Federal Courthouse in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Additionally, Chanen Construction Company supports the communities in which it builds. In 2011-12, Chanen Construction Company has provided financial support to numerous non-profit and civic organizations benefiting children, education, and the arts including Valley of the Sun United Way, Barrow Neurological Institute, Midwestern University, SHARE, Inc., First Things First Foundation, Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Scottsdale, Desert Diamond Foundation and the Phoenix Theater.

Contact: Donna Mills
Director of Communications
Chanen Construction Company, Inc.
Telephone: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]

SOURCE Chanen Construction Company, Inc.