Feb. 18, 1998 Contact Maureen Shine (541) 346-3145 EUGENE--Randall Robinson, the internationally recognized champion of human rights and democracy who is hailed for his work to dismantle apartheid in South Africa and for the return of President Jean-Bertrand Aristide to Haiti, is the 1998 presenter in the University of Oregon Luther S. and D. Cecelia Cressman Lecture in the Humanities. Robinson will give a free public lecture on his recently published memoir "Defending the Spirit: A Black Life in America" at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 25, in Room 150 of Columbia Hall, 1215 E. 13th Ave. A reception and book signing will follow the lecture. Robinson is the founding president of the Washington, D.C.-based TransAfrica, Inc., and the TransAfrica Forum. Established in 1977, TransAfrica, Inc., is a lobby dedicated to shaping popular opinion in the United States to achieve more progressive U.S. foreign policies toward Africa and the Caribbean. The forum, established in 1981, provides educational programs on Africa and the Caribbean. A tireless advocate of democratic reform and human rights, Robinson worked to change U.S. foreign policy toward South Africa, ultimately leading to the dismantling of apartheid. His efforts included frequent testimony before both houses of Congress, and for more than a year, he staged large daily protests in front of the South African embassy. Robinson also crusaded to change U.S. policy toward Haiti and the U.S. treatment of Haitian refugees. Toward this end, he worked with members of Congress and other U.S. officials, published numerous articles, gave speeches and went on a highly publicized hunger strike. "How many of us have an opportunity to be central to the lives of a group of people, of a nation, not once but twice during critical points in history? Randall has done that. He was absolutely central to the liberation and self-examination of South Africa and Haiti," said UO professor of law Ibrahim Gassama, who worked for Robinson at TransAfrica over the last several years. "Randall's contributions, both political and pragmatic, are extraordinary, and throughout he has maintained his integrity and stayed true to his principles. He is a truly remarkable man." Robinson received numerous honors and awards for his work, including the Congressional Black Caucus Humanitarian Award; the Martin Luther King Jr. Center for Non-Violent Social Change Humanitarian Award; the National Rainbow Coalition, Inc., Hope Award; and the Turner Broadcasting System's Trumpet Award for International Service. He also was ABC World News Tonight's "Person of the Week." Prior to his founding of TransAfrica, Robinson worked as an assistant to U.S. Reps. Charles Diggs and William Clay. He holds a bachelor's degree from Virginia Union University and a juris doctor degree from Harvard Law School. Sponsored by the Oregon Humanities Center, the Cressman Lecture aims to present and illuminate fundamental humanities issues that confront societies. The Cressman endowment was a gift to the Humanities Center by the late Northwest archaeologist and UO professor emeritus Luther Cressman and his wife, Cecelia. It was inaugurated in 1997 by Pulitzer Prize-winner N. Scott Momaday. For more information or to request disability accommodations, call (541) 346-3934. -30- #P-4055/Local,OrDailies