This is the only restaurant in Ecuador to have received the five-star Diamond award from the American Academy of Hospitality Sciences, reflecting its impeccable menu and service.

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Little known to the general public but regarded fondly by critics, Mr. Connell was a National Book award finalist, a member of the American Academy of Arts and Letters and a finalist in 2009 for the International Man Booker Award for lifetime achievement.

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He is the first African American to be nominated and win a Best Actor Academy Award.

WHITEHOUSE: 2009 Medal of Freedom Recipients

In 1994, Coleman earned a MacArthur Genius award, and has been inducted into the American Academy of Arts and Letters.

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American swimmer Michael Phelps was recognized with the Laureus Academy Exceptional Achievement Award, which was handed out for the first time.

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In 1997, he was inducted into the National Academy of Engineering, received the American Institute of Chemical Engineers National Award for Chemical Engineering Practice, and in 1992 was named Black Engineer of the Year.

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Gaiman, whose "Doctor Who" episode explored the doctor's most longstanding relationship in an unprecedented way, is known for the groundbreaking "The Sandman" graphic novel series and books like "Neverwhere, " "American Gods" and "Coraline, " which was turned into an Academy Award-nominated animated film in 2009.

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His experimental research on cognition and language won the Troland Award from the National Academy of Sciences and two prizes from the American Psychological Association.

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