O'Donnell has used her celebrity status to increase awareness for the need for common-sense gun laws, and has been an outspoken supporter of both Handgun Control and the Million Mom March Across America.

The event, held at Cipriani on 42nd Street in New York City, brought together hundreds of guests from the political and entertainment communities along with gun control activists and friends and supporters of Handgun Control. Legendary actress Lauren Bacall began the program, which also featured former White House Press Secretary Jim Brady, New York Representatives Carolyn McCarthy and Nita Lowey and Handgun Control President Michael Barnes. Sony Music Recording Artist Chantal Kreviazuk, who kicks off her nation-wide tour later this month, performed along with singer/songwriter Leslie Nuchow, founder of SLAM! Records, a socially conscious label that sponsors concerts to benefit non-profit organizations.

At the dinner, O'Donnell received a special award created by New York City elementary school students. The children contributed their writings and drawings detailing their personal experiences with gun violence in their neighborhoods.

"Everyone who knows Rosie knows how committed she is to children's issues and to helping to reduce gun violence in America," said Michael Barnes, president of Handgun Control. "Rosie has been an outspoken voice for our cause, and we are incredibly grateful for her support," said Barnes. "America's kids deserve to grow up safe from gun violence, and she has gone to great lengths to try and make that a reality."

Earlier today, Rosie also premiered on her talk show a new Handgun Control/Center to Prevent Handgun Violence ad campaign featuring voice-overs by celebrity moms Rosie O'Donnell, Susan Sarandon, Whoopi Goldberg, Gloria Estefan and Sarah Jessica Parker and using home footage of six American children who died at the hands of guns. The ad campaign, which urges parents who are concerned about the high levels of gun violence in our nation to participate in the Million Mom March events across the country, began airing today in at least a dozen markets on cable networks.

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Handgun Control, chaired by Sarah Brady, was founded in 1974 by Dr. Mark Borinsky and N.T. "Pete" Shields, two victims of gun violence. Based in Washington, D.C., HCI works with law enforcement, public health, religious, and community groups across the country to strengthen and protect federal, state and local gun control laws, but does not seek to ban all guns. HCI has more than 400,000 members nationwide, making it the nation's largest citizens' gun control lobbying organization. More information about HCI and its sister organization, the Center to Prevent Handgun Violence, can be found on the website at www.handguncontrol.org.

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