Gabriel Awards at 1645 Brook Lynn Dr., Suite 2, Dayton, OH 45432-1944 US - 2001 Art Linkletter

"Mr. Linkletter’s career epitomizes the essence of the Gabriel Awards," Unda-USA President Frank Morock said. "Everything he has done in his professional life and continues to do at the age of 88 stands as a fitting Christian example to all of us."

Linkletter dominated radio and television for decades. He is best known as host of Art Linkletter’s House Party, which was heard on CBS radio and then seen on CBS television five days a week, 52 weeks a year for 25 years. Television viewers will also remember Linkletter from People are Funny, which aired on NBC prime-time television weekly for 19 years, won three Emmy nominations and consistently was ranked in the top 10.

Kids Say the Darndest Things was another program that quickly became a viewer favorite. Linkletter crafted the children’s comments into a book that became one of the top 15 best sellers in American publishing history and #1 for two consecutive years. Linkletter has written 23 books, with the latest titled "Old Age is Not for Sissies."

He has been awarded ten honorary doctorate degrees from colleges and universities for his humanitarian work and his interest in youth. His national charity work has been recognized with such citations as Chairman of National Easter Seals Week, National Heart Week, National Cancer Week, the Foster Parents Plan and Goodwill Industries. He has also worked closely with the YMCA and Boy Scout Leadership.

Mr. Linkletter’s involvement in civic and social groups is extensive. He has served on the President’s National Advisory Council for Drug Abuse Prevention and the Presidential Commission to Improve Reading. He serves as president of the UCLA Center of Aging and as an executive board member of the French Foundation for Alzheimers Research. In addition to all of his endeavors, he has become very active in the HIV/Aids epidemic in Africa.

Born A.G. Kelly, he was abandoned in Saskatchewan. He was adopted by the Linkletter family and went to work at a very early age to help with expenses. He had planned on becoming a college professor, earning a degree from San Diego State in English and Psychology, but all that changed when a CBS affiliate offered him a radio announcer position.

"What his potential students lost, the United States listening and viewing public gained," Morock said. "This award to Art Linkletter is long overdue."

For the eighth straight year, the Gabriel Personal Achievement Award will be sponsored by Family Theatre Productions, in honor of its founder, Father Patrick Peyton, CSC.