Washington, D.C. -The Robert F. Kennedy Memorial is pleased to announce the selection of Gail Buckley's American Patriots as the winner of the 2002 Robert F. Kennedy Book Award. The book, which chronicles the struggles of blacks in the military from the Revolution to Desert Storm, was selected from a field of over 100 nominees from some the nation's most prominent publishing houses.

"The theme of Gail Buckley's fine book is the bravery and sacrifice displayed in America's wars by black Americans in the faith that the promise of equal rights for all Americans would one day be redeemed," says RFK Book Award Co-Chair Arthur Schlesinger, Jr., "They believed in the ultimate promise of American life - fought and died for a nation that has mostly denied them that promise. American Patriots is a compelling work of history and a noble reminder of our debt to black patriots."

RFK Book Award judges also presented distinguished honors to Eric Arnesen's Brotherhoods of Color: Black Railroad Workers and the Struggle for Equality. Arnesen's work relates the history of African American railroad workers and their battle against racism and job discrimination.

Each year, the Robert F. Kennedy Memorial presents the Book Award to the author whose work reflects Robert Kennedy's concern for the oppressed; his interest in justice, democracy and human rights; and his belief in the power of individuals make a difference. Book Award Chairs Arthur Schlesinger, Jr. and John Seigenthaler have convened an independent and distinguished panel of judges including poet and activist Nikki Giovanni, The Honorable Louis Oberdorfer, John Seigenthaler, Jr. and Stephen Schlesinger.

Past winners include Vice President Al Gore, Congressman John Lewis, Toni Morrison, Randall Kennedy, Neil Sheehan, Robert Coles, Anthony Lukas, Stephen B. Oates and Jonathon Kozol. The Robert F. Kennedy Book and Journalism Awards Ceremony is hosted annually by The Freedom Forum, a non-partisan international organization dedicated to free press, free speech and free spirit for all people. Its headquarters is The Freedom Forum World Center in Arlington, Virginia. On May 7th, Mrs. Robert Kennedy will present awards to Gail Buckley and Eric Arnesen at this ceremony.

Robert Kennedy's belief that individual action could overcome injustice and oppression continues to inspire generations to change the world. For more than three decades, the Robert F. Kennedy Memorial has been dedicated to perpetuating his vision by encouraging respect for human rights and social justice in the United States and around the world through domestic and international programs that help the disadvantaged and oppressed and build our next generation of leaders.

For more information on the Robert F. Kennedy Book Awards Program please call the RFK Memorial at 202-463-7575.