Stephan Porath |
IRU Grand Prix d’Honneur Jury awarded Stefan Porath with the prize for his outstanding act of courage. Mr. Porath is a German citizen who works for Hanekamp Busreisen, a member of Bundesverband Deutscher Omnibusunternehmer (BDO), the German Bus and Coach Association of the IRU.
Mr. Laeremans said, “In our modern society, ordinary people still find themselves in extraordinary situations and perform heroic acts. Thanks to Mr. Porath’s immediate, courageous and well thought through intervention, a young mother of two children was saved. With men like Mr Porath our industry is worthily served and represented.” Full text...
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Halim Mete
Vice President of the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB) |
The Jury of the Grand Prix d’Honneur also decided that a special tribute should be paid to the “Unknown Heroes” – truck drivers who lost their lives helping to reconstruct Iraq. Every day thousands of truck drivers cross the border to Iraq delivering goods for reconstruction, medical supplies and food to reduce the suffering of the Iraqi people. This work is not without danger for the truck drivers. Incidents of robbery, kidnapping and murder have been very frequent, especially in certain regions where security forces fail to guarantee the safety of drivers.
Paul Laeremans said, “These truck drivers who are committed to helping others in need remain “Unknown Heroes”, doing their job normally without recognition from the international community. The IRU is proud to honour such people amongst the ranks of its Member Associations and to remember them as shining examples of courageous and selfless behaviour.” Full text...
Halim Mete: "I am most touched with this Grand Prix d’Honneur, particularly knowing that nearly 100 drivers were killed in Iraq only from Turkey in the last couple of years. Trying to perform their profession, these unknown heroes have lost their lives. I am taking this on behalf of all the drivers from any nationalities, who lost their lives in Iraq." Full text...
Read the Press Release...
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