Connecticut Governor Dannel Malloy was named the 2016 recipient of the John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award™ for courageously defending the U.S. resettlement of Syrian refugees amid security concerns following the November 2015 terrorist attacks in Paris and personally welcoming a family of Syrian refugees to New Haven after they had been turned away by another state.
The award for political courage was presented by Jack Schlossberg, President Kennedy’s grandson, at a ceremony at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum in Boston today.

Governor Malloy released a statement: “I’m deeply honored and moved. I believe that when you see wrong happening, you must stand up to do what’s right — that’s what guides us each and every day. Whether it’s reforming our criminal justice system with our Second Chance initiatives, advocating for the LGBTQ community, fighting for fairer wages or working conditions, or standing up to ignorance around the refugee issue, we have tried to do just that. We’ve tried to lead — and we’ve tried to lead by doing the right thing. It is incredibly humbling and moving to receive this award. I cannot thank the JFK Foundation enough.”