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THE NATIONAL EXCHANGE CLUB National Headquarters: 3050 Central Ave., Toledo, Ohio 43606 For Release Monday A.M., July 3 Phone: 479-1643 Area Code: 419 Contact: Public Relations Deoartment Comedian Danny Thomas, for many years one of the nation's top night- club and television personalities, and founder of St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital, was presented The National Exchange Club's Outstanding American Award for 1972, last night (July 2) at ceremonies following his show at the Sands Hotel, Las Vegas, Nev. The award, a solid gold medallion, is the service club organization's highest tribute to a citizen for outstanding service to God, country and fellowmen. The medallion inscription reads: "Presented by the members of the Exchange Clubs of the United States and Puerto Rico on behalf of the citizens of this nation and commonwealth in appreciation of outstanding citizenship exemplified by Danny Thomas." It was presented with its com- panion plaque by the organization's National President Charles T. Ensor, Baltimore, Md. "Danny is richly deserving of the award," Mr. Ensor said in commenting on the presentation. "Not only is he a master of the comedic art which has brought joy and laughter to millions over the years, but his profound faith in humanity which is an integral part of his humor, and his determination in successfully founding and building the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital have been an inspiration to all Americans." The hospital was the outgrowth of a promise made by Thomas at the beginning of his career to erect a shrine to St. Jude if he should succeed in the business he loved above all others. St. Jude's is the first and only hospital established for the sole purpose of conducting research into catastrophic childhood diseases. Several thousand patients have been treated since its completion in 1962. Thomas was raised in Toledo, Ohio, which is, incidentally, headquarters for The National Exchange Club, the 50*000 member service organization sponsoring the Outstanding American Award. Its major service programs include promotion of National Crime Prevention Week, "One Nation Under God" Month, presentations of the Freedom Shrine collection of 28 historic American documents, and other youth, American citizenship and community service programs. Previous recipients of the Outstanding American Award include the late FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover, comedian Bob Hope, and Gen. William C. Westmoreland.