Refugee organization to honor Ted Turner

WASHINGTON, April 7 (UPI) -- Refugees International has announced plans to honor U.S. media mogul Ted Turner at its 30th anniversary gala in Washington.

Turner is to receive the group's 2009 McCall-Pierpaoli Humanitarian Award May 7 at the dinner to be held at the Embassy of Italy.

"Mr. Turner will be recognized for his inspiring commitment to humanitarian issues, including the establishment of the United Nations Foundation and the creation of CNN, which is renowned for bringing humanitarian crises to light," organizers of the event said in a news release. "Currently, the United Nations Foundation's Nothing But Nets campaign has teamed up with the U.N. Refugee Agency to protect refugees from malaria, the No. 1 killer of refugees in Africa."

Former Refugees International board member Ambassador Richard Holbrooke is to present Turner with the award and Christiane Amanpour, CNN chief international correspondent, will interview him during the program.

Oscar-nominated actor and board member, Sam Waterston, is expected to serve as master of ceremonies for the event.