(lower
left: T. Colin
Campbell, lower right: Alex
Hershaft's (a past "Hall of Fame" recipient) both
give tribute to Howard and his accomplishments)
"In Recognition Of Your Untiring Dedication
To The Advancement Of Vegetarianism To Create A Saner, More Compassionate
World." (Text
on the North American Vegetarian
Society Vegetarian "Hall of Fame" Award).
Written Tribute from John Robbins
My
name is John Robbins and I’ve been given the privilege of
saying a few words in honor and appreciation for the outstanding
contributions made by a man I am grateful to call my friend ---
Howard Lyman.
You probably know his life story, how this 4th generation family
farmer from Montana developed a tumor on his spinal cord that
caused him to be paralyzed from the waist down, and then made
a devout commitment to give his every ounce of energy towards
the creation of a humane and sustainable world.
You probably know how Howard appeared on the fateful Oprah
Winfrey show, and then became the target of a massive
lawsuit brought against him and Oprah by the cattlemen for the
sin of speaking disparagingly against beef. You probably know
that Howard and Oprah have the distinction of being the first
individuals ever sued under the Texas Food Disparagement Act,
and how, in February, 1998, the Texas jury found them NOT liable
for comments made on the show about eating beef, and affirmed
that Howard had spoken truthfully and accurately.
You probably know about his remarkable book, Mad
Cowboy; about the thousands of speeches and interviews
he’s given, helping to awaken people to the realities of
food production and to the choices we all can make to bring about
a healthier, more compassionate and more viable future.
What can I add to this, except to say that I have had the great
pleasure of working with this man for many years, and I can tell
you he is a man of great character. I’m not saying Howard
is a saint, or that he is perfect. Howard Lyman is human. He has
faults; he makes mistakes; he has anxieties ands [sic] suffering,
like all of us. But what he’s done, what’s so absolutely
amazing about him, is that he has used his suffering as a springboard
to gain strength to do everything he can to help life prosper,
to help life be fulfilled, to help each and every sentient being
thrive and be cherished.
Howard sees the pain of our times and knows it personally. He
sees how wrong, how terribly and tragically mistaken, we have
become in our food production and consumption patterns. He is
not alone is seeing this. But what makes Howard Lyman so unique
and so extraordinary is that he has given his life, with all his
formidable talents and dedication, to do what he can and all that
he can to help steer us towards a sane, ethical, and grateful
relationship to what gives us life.
Howard Lyman is a big man, not because of his physical stature,
but because of his moral stature. He stands among us as a man
of love.
I am so grateful that he is here. And I give thanks, as I know
you do, too, to Howard Lyman --- a wonderful human being, a dedicated
human being, and a true gift to life.
Thank you.... John Robbins ("The
Food Revolution")
PAST
RECIPIENTS INCLUDE: Jay and Freya Dinshah, Helen and Scott
Nearing, Michael Klaper, MD, George Eisman, RD, Paul Obis, Mahatma
Gandhi, Alex Hershaft, Muriel C. Golde, Patricia Lambert
