Miami-Dade Honors Brummer

Pictured: Kathlene Hepburn, co-chairperson and founder of the African American Caribbean Heritage Festival, Carrie P. Meek Leadership Award recipient Public Defender Bennett H. Brummer, Representative Dorothy Bendross-Mindingall.

In a ceremony at the County Commission Chambers on Thursday, May 27, 2004, Commissioner Dorrin D. Rolle recognized Miami-Dade Public Defender Bennett H. Brummer for his "valuable contributions to our community," on behalf of Mayor Alex Penelas, Commission Chairperson Barbara Carey-Shuler and the Board of County Commissioners.

Earlier this month, at an African American-Caribbean Heritage Festival luncheon, Brummer was awarded the Carrie P. Meek Leadership Award for Public Service.

Others honored at the luncheon included Miami Herald Columnist Leonard Pitts, civil rights attorney John Due, and Haitian community activist Marleine Bastien.

Over the course of nearly three decades of public service, Brummer has worked tirelessly not only in defense of indigent clients, but also to address some of the underlying causes of criminal behavior such as substance abuse, school failure and violence in the home. His office’s Anti-Violence Initiative serves as a model for other agencies both locally and across the country.