2005 Press Releases
Profile in Courage Award Winner Speaks on Religious Tolerance |
Dean Koldenhoven, the former Mayor of Palos Heights, IL visited the Ural region to take part in the promotion of the Russian translation of President John F. Kennedy’s book Profiles in Courage and discuss his own story of defending religious freedom in his town. Copies of President Kennedy’s book, which was translated for the first time into Russian this year with the U.S. Embassy support, were presented to the American Corners in Yekaterinburg and Chelyabinsk. Additionally, a collection of photos from the John F. Kennedy Library that chronicle key moments in the President’s life from early childhood through his presidency is on displayed at the Yekaterinburg American Center through September 30th.
During his three-city tour to Yekaterinburg, Chelyabinsk and Zlatoust, Mayor Koldenhoven met with students, academics, government officials and religious and NGO leaders. Many were inspired by Mr. Koldenhoven’s story of taking a moral stand to protect the rights of religious minorities against the fears of the populace. The program was highlighted by round table discussions in Yekaterinburg and Chelyabinsk that brought together representatives from different faiths and ethnic societies.
Dean Koldenhoven honored with the 2002 John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award was the one-term Mayor of Palos Heights, Illinois, who lost elective office after condemning religious intolerance toward an Islamic community that had hoped to convert a local and vacant Christian church into a mosque. When an Islamic group attempted to purchase and restore a vacant Palos Heights church for its own place of worship in 2000, several residents and city councilors worked aggressively to block the sale and deny the Muslim sect a home in their city. In response to the racially tinged comments of people opposed to the mosque moving into the building, Mayor Koldenhoven called for religious tolerance and adherence to the principles of American freedom. The Council proposed a $200,000 pay-off to get the Muslim group to abandon their plans to purchase the property. Mayor Koldenhoven vetoed the offer in July of 2000, calling it an "embarrassment" and "insult" to the Muslim community. "Government has no place in this issue," he told City Council members. Mayor Koldenhoven’s vociferous opposition to the City Council’s actions drew national attention. Ultimately, the Al Salam Mosque Foundation abandoned its plans to move to Palos Heights, citing apprehensions about relocating the mosque to a community where it was not wanted. On April 3, 2001, Dean Koldenhoven lost his bid for reelection in what many believe was due to the controversy surrounding his defense of religious freedom and tolerance.Text
