LOS ANGELES, April 19, 2011 —  Producer and minority rights activist Loreen Arbus and Congresswoman Anna Eshoo, (D-CA) received the prestigious Caucus for Producers, Writers and Directors American Spirit Awards (ASA) and Chapman University Dodge College of Film and Media Arts Dean Robert Bassett was bestowed the Special Educators Award in ceremonies this past Sunday night, April 17 at the Beverly Hills Hotel.  The trio of Arbus, Eshoo and Bassett were honored for their support of and commitment to the entertainment creative community.  Caucus Chair Dennis Doty hosted the event, chaired by Caucus Foundation President Chuck Fries.

The Caucus' American Spirit Awards annually selects and honors government and local community leaders in recognition of their efforts that positively impact the Los Angeles entertainment community. Congresswoman Eshoo was selected for her continued work to ensure innovative technology can continue to promote and protect the creative message with the passing of the Commercial Advertisement Loudness Mitigation (CALM) act, bring broadband to every American household, and spur investment in the new technologies that will create jobs and shape tomorrow's economy.  Loreen Arbus has been a supporter and longtime member of The Caucus, and is, herself, a noted executive producer, TV writer, author and artist, who has devoted herself to securing rights for minorities and persons in the arts with disabilities, while Bassett and Chapman Dodge Film School have been acclaimed for their educational support for student filmmakers in the creative community.

"We honor three individuals whose diverse achievements and service reflect their American spirit and commitment to our creative community" said Doty.  "Congratulations to you all."  

"The Caucus strives to create an open media environment, an independent production community and a diverse industry," stated Eshoo through a video response.  "You understand, as Ralph Waldo Emerson did, that the quality of the imagination is to flow and not to freeze.  You imagine and the rest of us are entranced."

"Through media, we can reach the greatest number of people to address misconceptions and prejudices about people with disability and so many other marginalized human beings," commented Arbus.  "I am so especially grateful and deeply, deeply touched to receive this award, not only because it represents acknowledgement of character and quality for which I strive, but because it comes from an organization whose mission and members embody the highest level of aspiration, exceeded only by the extent of both its members' individual and collective accomplishments."

"Our mission is very similar to The Caucus'," noted Bassett. "One of the things that this organization enables and provides scholarship funds for, is for these young people to bring their stories to the screen because it is very expensive.  It's expensive to get an education and it's expensive to make films but there is only one way for creative students to make films, that's by doing it."  "We have a very common aim, common objective to make this society a better place through telling stories that change people's minds, change people's attitudes and we're training the young people who will help do that," Bassett added.

"Dean Bassett is a true leader for his continued commitment to new filmmakers…" commended Caucus Foundation President Chuck Fries.

Highlighted presenters included fellow Caucus members, Gary Grossman; Caucus Chair Dennis Doty to Congresswoman Eshoo; producer and writer Dorothea G. Petrie to Loreen Arbus; and Syd Vinnege to Dean Robert Bassett.  

The Caucus consists of Producers, Writers and Directors working primarily in the television industry. Members include such industry luminaries as Gil Cates, Tom Fontana, Lionel Chetwynd, Kevin Bright, Dick Wolf, Michael Zinberg, Vin Di Bona and a host of other prominent creative individuals.