CHARITABLE EFFORTS BENEFIT COMMUNITY

Annual Tribute to Scientology Founder
L. Ron Hubbard - 1997

~ Part 1 ~

Thousands in attendance as Master of Ceremonies for the evening, Mr. David Miscavige spoke on the impact of social betterment activities by Scientologists

Taking stock of a man’s life and accomplishments can be a difficult task. But L. Ron Hubbard may have pinpointed the best criteria himself when he wrote that, “The only tests of a life well lived are: Did he do what he intended? and Were people glad he lived?”

And on those two tests, millions in more than 115 countries can attest that Mr. Hubbard passed—with flying colors.

So it is no surprise that the annual celebration of his birthday now routinely draws far more attendees than major awards shows like the Academy Awards in Los Angeles or New York. 1997 was no exception. In fact, record numbers gathered at the Church of Scientology’s UK headquarters outside East Grinstead on March 21 to join in this year’s enlightening evening—relayed by satellite from the Church’s international spiritual retreat in Clearwater, Florida.

The high-spirited proceedings provided an overview of a year of achievements in the Scientology religion and by its members, never before available insight into the life of Mr. Hubbard and a sense of what lies ahead.

While perhaps best known as the founder of the most vital and rapidly growing religious movement on Earth, Mr. Hubbard also lived a life, which was exciting and multi-faceted in the extreme. He defied—and still defies—any simple categorization. And the results of his work are today benefiting more people than ever before.

It was, therefore, fitting that the M.C. for the evening was Mr. David Miscavige, chairman of the Religious Technology Center, the Scientology church which oversees the purity of the religion—and who knew and worked with Mr. Hubbard.

Mr. David Miscavige described the social betterment activities of members of the Scientology religion as a “multi-pronged assault on all that most troubles this world: drug addiction, crime, illiteracy and immorality. These are the four modern Horsemen of the Apocalypse,” he said.

The results of programs conducted by Scientologists in their battle against these ills, he summarized, speak for themselves: 3.8 million children who are now literate and can study; 250,000 former drug users now leading drug-free lives; 76,000 firms utilizing Mr. Hubbard’s administrative methods to boost productivity and create a better world; and 53 million people furnished with a common-sense moral code.

Mr. David Miscavige also shared news of the ever-growing interest in the Scientology religion, as evidenced by more than 17 million visits to the Church’s Internet site since its unveiling one year before at the March 1996 birthday celebration—with 7 million of those visits having come in the last 2 1/2 months alone.

To read the full tribute given by Mr. David Miscavige, see the L. Ron Hubbard Tribute web site

FINAL PART OF GRAND OPENING SPEECH

HISTORICAL EVENT OF 1995

MR. DAVID MISCAVIGE, GUEST SPEAKER
AT THE GRAND OPENING OF THE
FOUNDING CHURCH IN WASHINGTON D.C.

~ Part 5 ~

THE FOUNDING CHURCH OF SCIENTOLOGY October 21st, 1995 marked the grand opening of the Founding Church of Washington, DC's new home in the magnificently restored landmark, Fraser Mansion.

The celebration began with the official ribbon cutting ceremony. It was appropriate that Mr. David Miscavige, Chairman of the Board of Religious Technology Center, as the highest ecclesiastical official of the Scientology religion, opened and dedicated the new Founding Church to L. Ron Hubbard.

Mr. David Miscavige:

The community needs our help, with even bigger anti-drug programs and Narconons to cater to the rehabilitation needs of this community. And it is from here that those activities will be spearheaded.

Greater literacy programs are needed in the inner-city. It is also from here that this action will emanate.

And we need to get Dianetics and Scientology technology being used right out at grass-roots level with many more Volunteer Ministers.

When you tour these facilities you will see your dreams — the dreams that you as a Scientologist have had for our Church. The dreams you had that one day we would have the Church facilities that truly did justice to the breakthroughs and technology of our Founder and where the miracles of that technology could be a daily occurrence.

In Washington, DC those dreams are here, today.

This is YOUR Church. And more. It is your home. Your SPIRITUAL home. But, it is also from here that I ask you to do your part in spreading our crusade and achieving OUR aims:





“A civilization without insanity, without criminals and without war, where the able can prosper and honest beings can have rights and where Man is free to rise to greater heights, are the aims of Scientology.” — L. Ron Hubbard



And, one FINAL thing.

As you probably surmised, many traditions were born in this city that remain with us today, including this one which I think is particularly relevant:

Every evening, the night watch went around the organization and turned off all the lights... except one: the light in L. Ron Hubbard's office always remained on.

Why?

Because L. Ron Hubbard would always return at some point during the night to take Scientology that one more step into the future.

It is my honor and great privilege to open this organization and so begin a new era for Scientology Washington, DC.

On behalf of Religious Technology Center, and the Founding Church and Scientologists all over the world, I hereby dedicate this new building to L. Ron Hubbard.

It is over to you now. Thank you and good luck.


This concluded the grand opening speech by Mr. David Miscavige.

DAVID MISCAVIGE - HISTORICAL EVENT OF 1995

MR. DAVID MISCAVIGE, GUEST SPEAKER
AT THE GRAND OPENING OF THE
FOUNDING CHURCH IN WASHINGTON D.C.

~ Part 4 ~

THE FOUNDING CHURCH OF SCIENTOLOGY October 21st, 1995
marked the grand opening of the Founding Church of Washington,

DC's new home in the magnificently restored landmark,

Fraser Mansion.

The celebration began with the official ribbon cutting ceremony. It was appropriate that Mr. David Miscavige, Chairman of the Board of Religious Technology Center, as the highest ecclesiastical official of the Scientology religion, opened and dedicated the new Founding Church to L. Ron Hubbard.

Mr. David Miscavige:

Tens of thousands of hours went into the building’s restoration. This included: massive renovation efforts that spanned every trade from electrical to plumbing, to construction and cabinetry.

This was truly a cooperative effort — from the Founding Church D.C. staff and public to Sea Organization members from New York and Los Angeles and literally hundreds of Scientologists from all up and down the east coast as well as from Chicago, Indianapolis, Seattle and Puerto Rico!
I want to personally acknowledge and thank all of you for what you have done to make this new organization a reality.

You have a new centerpiece for the expansion of Scientology into the nation’s capitol. This new organization is our gift to you — the Scientologists in the city of D.C.. Don’t consider this Church just a “building”. Consider it your home. Because that is what it is intended to be. You have available to you here the finest facilities on earth to train and to go free. Avail yourself of them.

We are at threshold of a new era — a vital one. The battles of yesteryears and decades are gone. And it is time to move forward to create a new and glorious future.

And who will create that future? You will.

This facility represents the center for change; Your center from which you reach out.

Mr David Miscavige’s address to be continued in the next entry…