In an industry more often known for its excesses and narcissism, entertainment professionals who exemplify virtues of compassion and self-sacrifice were honored by Catholics in Media Associates (CIMA) Nov. 6 in Beverly Hills.

The honorees included actor-director Gary Sinise who received the Humanitarian Award for his support of American troops abroad and of Iraqi school children. The late award-winning dancer and actor Gregory Hines received a Lifetime Achievement Award posthumously. Also recognized were the NBC television series "Medium" and the feature movie "Hotel Rwanda."

The honorees "have sacrificed themselves and have looked beyond just this life to try to do something that will make a difference in this world by using the means of communication and by using the media to make our world a better place," said San Pedro Region Auxiliary Bishop Alexander Salazar, main celebrant of CIMA's 13th annual Mass and Awards Luncheon held at the Beverly Hilton Hotel. Actor Joe Mantegna ("Joan of Arcadia") served as emcee.

Sinise, who starred as Lt. Dan in "Forrest Gump," has been playing bass and performing for U.S. troops in Iraq, Afghanistan, and elsewhere with The Lt. Dan Band.

While visiting impoverished schools in Baghdad, he noticed that children were sharing pencils, and when he returned to the U.S. he spoke at his children's elementary school, Our Lady of Malibu in Malibu, about what he had seen. The students put together school kits to send to Iraq and Afghanistan and from there Operation Iraqi Children (www.operationiraqichildren.org) got its start and spread to other schools.

In 20 months, more than 250,000 school kits have been sent to the Middle East, along with shoes and soccer balls. Sinise has helped to raise $1 million towards the effort.

"Visiting our troops in Iraq and elsewhere, I can truly say, has been one of the most rewarding things that I have done in my life," said Sinise, after accepting his award from his longtime friend, actor Jeff Perry. "The troops are always so grateful to see a friendly face."

He added that U.S. soldiers are working throughout Iraq "rebuilding schools and infrastructure. They've had many successes that have gone unnoticed and unreported."

He also thanked his wife, actress Moira Harris, for leading their family by her decision to embrace her Catholic faith, by enrolling their three children in Catholic school, and for inspiring him to commit significant time to service projects. "She has made me a better man," said Sinise of his 29-year relationship with Harris.

Emmy and Tony award-winning actor Hines, who died in 2003 of cancer at age 57, starred in television and feature films like "Bojangles," "The Cotton Club," "Taps," "White Nights," "Waiting to Exhale," and "Who Killed Atlanta's Children?" Renowned for his tap dancing, Hines found time to give master dance classes to young people.

Bishop Salazar said Hines was the modern version of the prodigal son. Raised Catholic, Hines drifted away from his faith as his dancing and acting career flourished and brought him fame and fortune. Two divorces and many years later, Hines was re-introduced to his faith by Negrita Jayde. The couple frequently attended St. Monica Church in Santa Monica, and in particular sought out the Sunday 5:30 p.m. Mass and its rousing liturgical music.

"And through the ministry of this music, Gregory learned to love God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit, Mother Mary and all the angels and saints so deeply," said his fiancé Jayde, who accepted the award on Hines' behalf from his friend writer and producer Rudy Langlais ("Who Killed Atlanta's Children?"). "The day he was diagnosed with a very aggressive cancer," she added, "he relied on a whole gang of heavenly hosts to help give him strength and courage."

Langlais said that Hines' most significant achievement was being "the model of a man who was searching for redemption. He was searching for God's grace. He never stopped seeking that."

"Hotel Rwanda" screenwriter Keir Pearson presented the CIMA Motion Picture Award to producer A. Kitman Ho. "Hotel Rwanda" tells the story of Paul Rusesabagina, a hotel manager, who sheltered refugees during the Rwanda genocide of 1994. While Western leaders ignored the atrocities occurring in Rwanda, "Paul's story is the story of an average man who decided to do the right thing, and made a difference and saved a thousand people's lives," said Pearson.

Actor Miguel Sandoval presented the television award to "Medium" creator and executive producer Glenn Gordon Caron (who also created the 1980s series "Moonlighting"). The television drama follows the life of Allison DuBois (Patricia Arquette), a young mother of three, whose innate psychic abilities help local prosecutors solve violent crimes.

Host Mantegna encouraged entertainment producers and financiers to continue to put resources towards artistic projects they believe are important and move civilization forward.