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| PEN America honorees Paul Simon (l.) and Almar Latour. | |
PEN America will present Paul Simon with this year's PEN/Audible Literary Service Award "to celebrate his indelible lyrics, boundless contributions to our canon and elevation of essential cultures over nearly six decades." Almar Latour, CEO of Dow Jones and publisher of the Wall Street Journal, will receive the Business Visionary award, "reflecting his company's commitment to the free press and persistence in demanding the release of Evan Gershkovich, the Journal reporter jailed in Russia." Both recipients will be honored May 16 during PEN America's annual Literary Gala in Manhattan.
PEN America CEO Suzanne Nossel said: "Paul Simon has inspired fans worldwide with lyrics and songs that entire generations know by heart and can recognize from the very first notes. His fascination with different cultures, traditions and rhythms have helped open our ears and minds to essential musical traditions. We are elated to pay tribute to this unparalleled creative artist whose music, along with his commitment to humane values and humanitarian causes, has made him a cultural icon."
Jennifer Finney Boylan, president of PEN America and one of this year's literary hosts, said of Latour: "At a time when facts and truth are in question, the Wall Street Journal's role as a source of credible, reported news is indispensable. Almar's commitment to delivering trusted news and information and building sustainable news operations is a lifelong calling. His fierce support for press freedom and for Evan has been inspiring."