Senate approves cross transfer; battle continues

By Dwane Brown / KPBS Evening Edition Anchor/Reporter, KPBS Public Broadcasting

Published August 1, 2006 at 9:00 PM PDT

This story was published more than 18 years ago.

A fight to save the Mount Soledad cross in San Diego has taken a step forward but opponents say the battle is far from over. San Diego Congressman Brian Bilbray supported the move and spoke on KPBS Ra

A fight to save the Mount Soledad cross in San Diego has taken a step forward but opponents say the battle is far from over. The U.S. Senate yesterday approved a bill that would transfer the cross from city-owned property to the federal government. San Diego Congressman Brian Bilbray supported the move and spoke on KPBS Radio's These Days.

Bilbray: I see that this is an issue of tolerance when it really comes down to it. We were supposed to have freedom of religion not freedom from religion. And the religious concepts that we have no matter who it is should be able to be maintained."

However, Attorney James McElroy calls the move is a colossal waste of taxpayer money.

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McElroy: I agree with Congressman Bilbray entirely it is a matter of tolerance. It's a matter of tolerating all religions and accepting all religions without being exclusionary."

Dwane Brown

Brown started his career with KPBS in the early '90s as a radio anchor and reporter before expanding his broadcast news experience at CBS radio and television in New York. He’s been a news director, anchor, reporter and correspondent in San Francisco and has worked as a writer, producer, assignment editor and talk show host. He returned to KPBS in 2005. As the former anchor for KPBS Evening Edition, Brown provided an in-depth look at issues and stories relevant to San Diego. He spent nearly seven years as anchor/host of Morning Edition on KPBS Radio. Between 2006 and 2010, the San Diego Press Club named Brown "Best Morning Newscaster" in San Diego Radio. In 2006, the Society of Professional Journalists also named him "Best Morning Newscaster." During that time he managed and taught a two-week high school boot camp for aspiring radio reporters at KPBS in conjunction with the California Chicano News Media Association. Brown studied English/Journalism at San Diego State University and is a Fast Trac graduate from UC Berkeley's Haas School of Business. He’s a popular public speaker and Toastmaster International member. He’s been master of ceremonies for the American Red Cross, VA Medical Center San Diego, Urban League, San Diego Office of Emergency Services and numerous foundations. Brown is also a voice actor for movie, documentary, television, radio and Internet projects.

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