Former Honorees

2024

The Honorable Bernette Joshua Johnson, The Honorable John Bel and Donna Edwards, Dr. Sam Nader, Wendell Pierce, and Todd Walker

2023

Gayle Benson, Warrick Dunn, Gary Fields, Brigadier General Gary M. Jones, and Irene W. & C.B. Pennington Family

2022

Beth Courtney, Arthur Favre, Dr. Saundra Yancy McGuire, Dr. Stephen McGuire, Coach Paul Mainieri, Valsin Marmillion, Thomas Whitehead

2021

Dr. Carolyn Leach Huntoon, Terry King, MD, Terry C. Landry, Sr., Johnny Robinson, and Donna Saurage

2019

Todd Graves, Denise Lewis Patrick, Roy O. Martin III, Newton Thomas, and Rebecca Vizard

2018

Coach D-D Breaux, Thomas Chance, James Elrod, Theodore "Ted" Jones, Sybil Morial

2017

Julian E. Bailes, Jr., M.D., James Moncus, Juan Pierre, Dee Dee Reilly, Toni and Emmet Stephenson

2016

Hollis Conway, Charlie Cook, William Doré, Sylvia Goodman, W. Henson Moore, Charlie Weems

2015

Kathleen Babineaux Blanco, Robert Crais, Joe Dumars, Rolland Golden, Roger Ogden

2014

Dale Brown, Mary Frey Eaton, Honorable Murphy J. "Mike" Foster, Jr., Buddy Guy, W. Elton Kennedy

2013

Honorable Kitty Kimball, O. Delton Harrison Jr., C. Paul Hilliard, Ellis Marsalis, Glen Post

2012

Dr. James Andrews, M.D., Mickey Gilley, Gayle Hatch, Amb. Linda Thomas-Greenfield, Richard Zuschlag

2011

Bill Conti, Lt. Gen. Russel L. Honoré (Ret.), Norman V. Kinsey, Laura A. Leach, Jerry Stovall

2010

James Burton, Louis J. Michot, Marjorie Morrison, Willis Reed, Charles “Buddy” Roemer

2009

Terry Bradshaw, William H. Gray, Joy Nalty Hodges, Jimmy D. Long, Ken Wells

2008

Lieutenant General E. Ratcliffe “Andy” Anderson, Jr., MD, Lieutenant General John S. Hardy, Ben Kleinpeter, Tony Kushner, Lynn Whitfield

2007

Leah Chase, Kevin Reilly, Sr., Matilda Gray Stream, Hal Sutton, David Treen

2006

Earl Barbry, Sr., John Breaux, Mignon Faget, Ambassador James Joseph, Virginia Shehee

2005

Kix Brooks, Coach Paul Dietzel, Coach Sue Gunter, Roy O. Martin, Jr., Wm. Clifford Smith, Andrew Young

2004

Sherian Cadoria, James Davison, Robert Harling, Ron Zappe

2003

Stephen E. Ambrose, Norman C. Francis, William Joyce, Charles W. McCoy, Zachary Richard, Shirley Verrett

2002

Ella Brennan, Lou Brock, Archbishop Philip Hannan, Bert Turner

2001

Donald "Boysie" Bollinger, Marc Breaux, Archie Manning, Robin Roberts

2000

Coach Skip Bertman, Kitty Carlisle Hart, Alden J. "Doc" Laborde, John P. Laborde, C.C. Lockwood, Johnny Rivers

1999

Faith Ford, Senator J. Bennett Johnston, Jim Taylor, Irma Thomas

1998

Victor Bussie, Clyde Connell, Blaine Kern, Allen Toussaint, Gov. John McKeithen

1997

Willie Davenport, Michael Doucet, Sister Helen Prejean, Robert Rucker

1996

Dr. Joy Browne, Chef John Folse, Shirley Ann Grau, Coach Eddie Robinson

1995

Hon. Lindy Boggs, Lod Cook, Lt. Col. James Donald Halsell, Jr., Percy Sledge

1994

Bert Jones, Doug Kershaw, Aaron Neville, Paul Prudhomme, A. Hays Town

1993

Elizabeth Ashley, James Carville, Pete Fountain, Rex Reed, Judge John Minor Wisdom

1992

Event Not Held

1991

Gen. Robert H. Barrow, USMC, Ret. Dr. Michael DeBakey, Al Hirt, Bob Petit, George Rodrigue

1990

Gene Callahan, Gov. Jimmie Davis, Ernest J. Gaines, Ron Guidry, Sen. Russell Long, Justin Wilson