US congressman Paul Findley guest of Khalaf Al Habtoor in Dubai

Khalaf Al Habtoor hosted a delegation from the city of Jacksonville, Illinois in Dubai. The group includes former US congressman, the honourable Paul Findley and Illinois College's 13th President Axel D. Steuer.

Mr Al Habtoor supported the establishment of a leadership centre at Illinois College in recognition of his long friendship with Congressman Findley. The leadership centre, which nears completion and bears Khalaf Al Habtoor's name, is established in Crampton Hall after major renovations of that historic building. A focal point of the Khalaf Al Habtoor Leadership Centre is a gift of papers, personal items from around the world, furniture, and Lincoln artefacts acquired by Congressman Findley during his nearly 40 years of public service.

Paul Findley, first elected in 1961, served 11 terms in Congress. He attended Illinois College and is a member of Phi Alpha Literary Society. He is a frequent critic of US foreign policy regarding Israel and an author. In 1985, Findley wrote his best selling book "They dare to speak out: People and Institutions Confront Israel's Lobby".

"Congressman Findley is a great man, and I am honored to call him my friend. I am pleased to receive him and President Steuer and their families in my home the UAE and return a little of the generosity they showed when I last visited Illinois College and Jacksonville", Al Habtoor said.