'Fight for all of us'

COEUR d’ALENE — When Susan Crowe received the Bill Wassmuth Memorial Volunteer of the Year Award on Saturday, she had a revelation.

“That’s why my whole family is here tonight,” she said, laughing and pointing their direction during the Kootenai County Task Force on Human Relations 24th annual banquet.

Crowe, a longtime KCTFHR supporter, has provided musical performances at the banquet over the years and she and her husband, Jeff Crowe of Bunkhouse Media, produced last year’s KCTFHR documentary, “What are Idaho’s True Values: This is who we are.”

“Susan Crowe, you’ve been there for us so long, we just adore you,” said Christie Wood, KCTFHR president. “We want you to have this award.”

Crowe praised the organization for spearheading “wonderful projects in regards to human relations, equality for all and respect for all.”

“I have so much respect for the people in this room and the people in this community that get out there every day and say, ‘We’re going to continue to move forward and fight for all of us and make things better,” Crowe said.

About 250 people attended the banquet at the Best Western Plus Coeur d’Alene Inn.

The keynote speaker was Idaho U.S. Attorney Josh Hurwit. A documentary from Boise State University, “Idaho Listens,” was also shown. The video included speakers in Idaho urging people to listen to each other in support of civility.

A second volunteer award went to Florine Dooley on the 30th anniversary of the KCTFHR's international conference titled “Empowering Women” held at NIC and The Coeur d’Alene Resort with over 900 delegates from across the United States and from abroad Oct. 29 to 31, 1993.

Dooley, at the time, was a travel agent who booked flights for all KCTFHR’s speakers through United Airlines and she did not take a commission for booking the flights. The conference remains one of the largest in Coeur d’Alene.

Dooley, who joked about being old and having a tough time walking the steps to the stage, was humbled.

“This pleases me a lot. Thank you,” she said.

The Hagadone Corp. received the Civil Rights Award for recently establishing a free primary medical clinic for eligible employees and family members.

Tony Stewart, KCTFHR secretary, said the award has four criteria and has been given to prominent individuals and outstanding organizations from across the U.S. for human rights and humanitarian work for the past 24 years.

“There are those that we call great corporate citizens,” Stewart said. “Tonight, we have one of those great corporations here."

He said opening the medical clinic was “an amazing accomplishment in our society.”

“I think this is a beautiful example to other corporations,” he said.

Mont Garman, Hagadone Corp. chief financial officer, said it took a great team and nearly a year of research and negotiations to open “a beautiful primary care clinic we can all be proud of.”

“I can honestly say this is the best benefits decision I have ever been involved in,” he said.

Garman said he was thankful for the award.

“It’s all about the people, it’s all about our employees. They are our greatest asset,” he said.

Special awards were presented to the Gonzaga University Foley Library and the North Idaho Molstead Library for housing the more than 42-year history of the KCTFHR including its papers, documents and videos.

As the event neared its conclusion, Stewart repeated one of the task force’s declarations: “We will never be silent in the face of hate.”

While most gatherings open with the Pledge of Allegiance, the banquet closed with it.

"This entire evening was about unity,” Wood said.