Los Angeles Community Partners Honored at the White House
Los Angeles, California, September 30, 2016 (Newswire.com) - Each September, during National Preparedness Month, FEMA and the Department of Homeland Security Center for Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships recognize individuals and groups that take a leadership role in disaster preparedness. This year's awards were presented September 13 at a White House ceremony.
In his National Preparedness Month message this year, President Obama spoke of “the power of love and community among neighbors who step up to help in extraordinarily difficult circumstances…. During National Preparedness Month, we emphasize the importance of readying ourselves and our communities to be resilient in the face of any emergency we may encounter.”
Among those acknowledged were Rev. Janet Weiland of the Church of Scientology of Los Angeles; Bishop Juan Carlos Mendez of Churches in Action; and Mr. Adnan Khan from the Council on Pakistani American Affairs. They and other members of the Los Angeles Interfaith Clergy Coalition were recognized for their “innovative practices and campaigns that have made outstanding contributions toward making communities safer, better prepared, and more resilient” and “exemplary participation in the ‘Building Resilience with Diverse Communities’ engagement process.”
Members of the Clergy Coalition were joined by civic and religious leaders from Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, Albuquerque and New Jersey.
The Department of Homeland Security Center for Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships was created in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, recognizing that partnerships with faith and community organizations are a vital and necessary part of any successful disaster response.
Presenting the awards were Melissa Rogers, Special Assistant to the President and Executive Director of the White House Office of Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships, and the Rev. David L. Myers, Director of the Department of Homeland Security Center for Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships.
The L.A. Interfaith Clergy Coalition was founded to support and promote preparedness in faith communities and connect them with emergency management agencies.
Source: ScientologyNews.org
