The Foundation for Ethnic Understanding, a nonprofit group led by Rabbi Marc Schneier and rap mogul Russell Simmons, will host its Sixth Annual Joseph Papp Interethnic Congressional Racial Harmony Awards from 12:30 to 2 p.m. Thursday in Room 2325 of the Rayburn House Office Building.

This year’s honorees, who according to the foundation have demonstrated “leadership and commitment” to improving relationships between ethnic groups, include Reps. Alcee Hastings (D-Fla.), Mike Honda (D-Calif.), Edolphus Towns (D-N.Y.), Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) and Henry Waxman (D-Calif.), as well as Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.).

The event is co-hosted by Reps. Charlie Rangel (D-N.Y.), Tom Lantos (D-Calif.), Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.), Silvestre Reyes (D-Texas) and Bob Filner (D-Calif.) and is co-sponsored by the World Jewish Congress, National Council of La Raza and the NAACP.

— Bree Hocking