On June 3, 2000, I was very fortunate and honored to have been the first recipient of the European-American Citizens Committee's "Alternative Charlemagne Award" now renamed the "European-American Committee's Human Rights Award" for championing the causes of human rights and religious freedom. I am posting concurrently with this message the text of the speech I gave last year when I received this award.

This years winner is Dr. Norbert Bluem. Dr. Bluem is a member of the Christian Democratic Union party and a long time member of the German Parliment. From 1982-1998 he was the Federal Minister for Labor in the Kohl government and became an outspoken critic of the Scientology organization. Dr. Bluem is a staunch defender of human rights, workers rights and democratic ideals. He was quoted in 1981 at a conference on cults as saying "The enemies of freedom are the same ones that today are calling for freedom and tolerance". Scientology's clarion call is still the same today and Dr. Bluem remains resolute in his vehement opposition to the totalitarian ideology they present. He is a worldwide leader in the campaign to expose Scientology's brand of disdain and hatred for democracy and human rights.

I have the honor and pleasure of presenting this year's award to Dr. Bluem. As I am sitting here working on a speech for this occasion, I would urge everyone to show your support for Dr. Bluem by sending an e-mail to:

listme@alt-charlemagne-award.de with the Subject: I support the 2001 Leipzig Award for Norbert Bluem

The body of the message should be in the following format: Name, Profession, City, State, Country

An Award Proclamation given to Dr. Bleum will include the names, etc. of all those sending the above e-mail.

For more information about this year's award, go to:

http://www.leipzig-award.de/ where you will also find links to a great deal of information about Dr. Bleum.

For videos of last years award, go to: http://www.lisatrust.net/Media/leipzig.htm.

Many thanks,

Bob Minton