The Human Rights Coalition of North Carolina will award N.C. Rep. Paul Luebke of Durham its International Human Rights Award for 2007.

Luebke has been a member of the N.C. General Assembly since 1991. During this past legislative session, he was the senior sponsor of House Bill 291, the Sudan (Darfur) Divestment Act, and led the successful effort to achieve its passage (unanimously in both the N.C. House and the N.C. Senate). He also has been a leader to end the use of our state’s airports by Aero Contractors Ltd. (a CIA subsidiary) for the CIA’s extraordinary rendition program.

“For several years Paul has championed the needs and the plight of immigrants in our state,” added his colleague, N.C. Rep. Jennifer Weiss. “Often he has been the lone voice on matters of fairness and constitutional protections that should be accorded to everyone in this country.”

Luebke received a doctorate in sociology from Columbia University. He is a member of the sociology faculty at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, specializing in political sociology, and is the author of two books on North Carolina politics.

Luebke will speak on “International Human Rights Issues in North Carolina: A Legislator’s Perspective” at a dinner in his honor on Dec. 6 at the N.C. State University Club, 4200 Hillsborough St., Raleigh. Social hour begins at 6:30 p.m. followed by dinner at 7:15 p.m. The cost is $30 per person. A cash wine bar will be available.

Seating is limited, so make your reservations early. Advance payment is required and must be received by Nov. 29. Make checks payable to HRCNC, and mail them to: Joyce Scapicchio, 5400 Neuse Forest Rd., Raleigh, NC 27616.

The dinner will feature chicken marsala, green salad, rice, vegetable, rolls and a dessert. Those who desire a vegetarian dinner should request it at the time they make their reservations.