HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013 Tom Oye Award
City of Edina • 4801 W. 50th St. • Edina, MN 55424
Contact: Frank Petrovic, Communications Assistant
Phone 952-826-0347 • Fax 952-826-0389 • www.EdinaMN.gov
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Commission seeks candidates for humanitarian award
Edina, Minn., Nov. 7, 2013 – The Edina Human Rights & Relations Commission is accepting nominations
for its Tom Oye Human Rights Award.
Oye, a longtime Edina resident, was an active humanitarian who demonstrated courage and compassion in the
advancement of civil rights. He helped found the Edina Human Rights & Relations Commission in 1970 and
served on it for more than 30 years. He also served on the Edina Chemical Health Partners Committee and
the University of Minnesota Human Relations Committee.
Oye was a Nisei soldier in World War II, a first-generation Japanese American who served in the 100th
Infantry Battalion of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, one of the most decorated units in U.S. military
history.
The Commission is looking for candidates who exemplify Oye’s dedication, spirit and values. Anyone who
lives or works in Edina is eligible for nomination. Nominees will be evaluated based on their efforts to foster
respect and dignity for others, model courage and/or compassion in the advancement of human rights, and
demonstrate leadership by example for improving human relations and/or advancing human rights.
Steve Winnick, Edina Human Rights & Relations Commissioner, is very passionate about spreading the word
regarding Edina’s great humanitarians – from Oye to this year’s eventual award winner.
“Edina is fortunate to have had the leadership of Tom Oye at a critical time of its growth. Human rights issues
have always been present in the background of this community's development. Oye brought them to the
foreground through his many years of service on our HRRC,” he said.
Finalists for the 2014 Tom Oye Human Rights Award will be announced in February. The award will be
presented at the City’s All-Volunteer Recognition Reception in April at Braemar Golf Course.
Applications must be received by Jan. 31, 2014, at Edina City Hall, Human Rights & Relations Commission,
4801 W. 50th St., Edina, MN 55424. Applications can also be submitted online at
www.EdinaMN.gov/HumanRights or by contacting City Manager Intern Annie Coyle at 952-826-0429 or
acoyle@EdinaMN.gov.
For more information, contact Coyle, 952-826-0429.
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