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Year: 1992 (65th) Academy Awards
Category: Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award
Winner: Elizabeth Taylor
Presenter: Angela Lansbury
Date & Venue: March 29, 1993; Dorothy Chandler Pavilion
ELIZABETH TAYLOR:
Thank you so much. I have been on this stage many times as a presenter, I have sat in the audience as a loser, and I have had the thrill and the honor of standing here as a winner. But I never ever thought I would come out here to receive this award. It is the highest possible accolade I could receive from my peers, and for doing something I just have to do, that my passion must do. I am filled with pride and humility.
I accept this award in honor of all the men, women and children with AIDS who are waging incredibly valiant battles for their lives, those to whom I have given my commitment, the real heroes of the pandemic of AIDS. I am so proud of the work that people in Hollywood have done to help so many others, like dearest, gentle Audrey [Hepburn]. And while she is, I know, in heaven, forever guarding her beloved children, I will remain here as rowdy an activist as I have to be and, God willing, for as long as I have to be.
Tonight I am asking for your help. I call upon you to draw from the depths of your being to prove that we are a human race. To prove that our love outweighs our need to hate. That our compassion is more compelling than our need to blame. That our sensitivity to those in need is stronger than our greed. That our ability to reason overcomes our fear. And that at the end of each of our lives, we can look back and be proud that we have treated others with the kindness, dignity and respect that every human being deserves. Thank you and God bless.
© Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences
[Note: All winners are present except where noted; NOT all winners may have spoken.]
