OLIVERA: Retrospective appreciated

What a powerful story this morning, September 27, 2026, remembering what happened 40 years ago. I cannot believe it has been 40 years, where has the time gone?

As usual, you were so accurate in all the historical details. I am so grateful that you as a reporter traveled to New York City with the three wonderful men from CDA, Bill Wassmuth, Raymond Stone and Larry Broadbent, to receive the first ever Raoul Wallenberg Civic Award to the City of Coeur d’Alene along with $5,000 that was used to purchase human rights books for the city library. Later I received a video of the event from ABC that is in the NIC Molstead library. Maybe the KCTFHR should have a public gathering to show the ABC coverage?

I remember that the president of the New York City Council during the ceremony gave great praise to our city and the KCTFHR as an example for New York City to follow. Our dear friend the late Bethine Church was present as a member of the Raoul Wallenberg Committee of the United States.

The next year Rachel Haspel, executive director of the Raoul Wallenberg Committee of the United States, came to Coeur d’Alene on July 18, 1987, joined Idaho Governor Cecil Andrus, Coeur d’Alene Mayor Raymond Stone, the Coeur d’Alene Tribe, the board of the KCTFHR, and officials of North Idaho College with a large audience in the NIC Auditorium for a celebration followed by a ceremony on the Yap-Keehn-Um Beach celebrating the ten years since the NIC purchasing of the beach. The NIC Board of Trustees had dedicated the beach to the Coeur d’Alene Tribe and the Coeur d’Alene Tribe selected the name Yap-Keehn-Um (The Gathering Place). A member of the local chapter of the Bahai Faith at the beach ceremony presented Coeur d’Alene Tribal Chairman Ernie Stensgar a special document and gave tribal member Jeanne Givens a dozen roses. It was a very special day in Coeur d’Alene.

Later I received a framed series of photos and a signed message from Idaho Governor Cecil Andrus of the beach ceremony that hangs in my living room.

I often think about how proud Father Bill Wassmuth would be that the KCTFHR celebrated our 45th year last February and the recent 27th successful human rights banquet. The work continues.

TONY STEWART

Coeur d’Alene