Houston Urban Debate League Honors Bill White, Hosts America's Most Influential Legal Educator at April 27 Event

Houston, TX, April 18, 2015 --(PR.com)-- The Houston Urban Debate League (HUDL) will hold its annual fund-raising luncheon and present the Dr. Thomas F. Freeman Award to former Mayor Bill White at the JW Marriott Houston Downtown on April 27, 2015. Named after the iconic debate and public speaking educator, the Freeman Award is given to an outstanding community leader who exemplifies the commitment of Dr. Freeman to academic debate – an invaluable resource that aids in successful high school, collegiate, and career pursuits.

“We are very pleased to honor Mayor White for his early and significant support of HUDL’s efforts to bring debate to underserved Houston high school students,” said Marcos Rosales, HUDL Chair. “It’s important that our public schools continue the traditions of debate and public speaking that were established in Houston by great influencers such as Dr. Freeman and the late Barbara Jordan.”

Dean Erwin Chemerinsky – named the most influential person in U.S. legal education by National Jurist magazine – will provide the Keynote address. Dean Chemerinsky is Founding Dean and Distinguished Professor of Law at the University of California Irvine School of Law. A former championship debater at Northwestern University, Dean Chemerinsky is the author of over 200 articles and eight books, including The Case Against the Supreme Court (2014). Dean Chemerinsky frequently argues appellate cases, including before the United States Supreme Court.

“Dean Chemerinsky has incisive and important views on a variety of topics of interest to the Houston legal community,” said Heather Hatfield, HUDL Chair-Elect and Secretary. “He comes to us as a former debater, eager to assist our students, and to offer his unique insights.”

The Houston Urban Debate League 2015 Annual Awards Luncheon will be held at the JW Marriott Houston Downtown, Monday, April 27th from 11:45 am – 1:00 pm. Tickets and event information are available at www.houstonurbandebate.org. Members of the press should contact Zachary Sorgalla at zacharysorgalla@urbandebate.org to arrange an interview or to attend the event.