Last night, Vera held its fourth annual benefit—Public Service, Public Trust—at Jazz at Lincoln Center. It was a great success.

Our honoree was retiring New York County District Attorney Robert M. Morgenthau, whose remarkable 35-year tenure is a testament to an extraordinary lifelong commitment to public service. Mr. Morgenthau’s acceptance speech, a reflection on his career and a forceful call for better treatment for immigrants, got a standing ovation from the crowd.

The event also recognized those who have played critical roles in Vera’s work in New Orleans  after Hurricane Katrina: New Orleans City Councilmember James Carter, who has demonstrated terrific leadership in the city, and the New Orleans law firm Stone Pigman Walther Wittmann LLC, which has provided invaluable support to Vera staff in New Orleans.

Thank you to everyone who attended. Thank you also to all of our sponsors, especially our title sponsors, The Starr Foundation and Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz.

Photos and the film shown at the event should be available soon on our web site, Facebook page, and YouTube channel.