Church of Scientology International President Eulogizes Civil Rights Leader Celes King III

Church of Scientology President Heber C. Jentzsch (left) and Vice President Janet Weiland (right) worked on human rights issues with Celes King for many years. They are shown here with California Governor Gray Davis (second from right).

Saturday, April 19, 2003 — Church of Scientology International President Heber C. Jentzsch today eulogized Celes King III at services for the civil rights leader who died April 12 at age 79.

Rev. Jentzsch spoke of King to an overflowing assembly of family members, government and military officials, community leaders and business associates at Inglewood Park Cemetery chapel in the south Los Angeles community where King lived and worked for decades.

Los Angeles Mayor James Hahn said the city will miss Celes King. The King family has been active in the business, political and social life of L.A. for five decades.

Jentzsch began, “Celes was a man of surprises. I was informed after his death that a year ago he had requested I deliver his eulogy when the time came, and I am honored to do so.”

Hearing the eulogy were King’s family, United States Congresswomen Maxine Waters and Diane Watson, a representative of the office of California Governor Gray Davis, Los Angeles Mayor James Hahn, Speaker of the California Assembly Herb Wesson, former U.S. Congressman and now State Assemblyman Mervyn Dymally, L.A. NAACP director Geraldine Washington, Roy Innis of the national Congress on Racial Equality, former L.A. Police Chief and now 8th District L.A. City Council member Bernard Parks, City Council member Nate Holden, L.A. County Supervisor Yvonne Braithwaite Burke, First African Methodist-Episcopal minister Cecil B. “Chip” Murray and a host of other local, state and national officials.

The theme of the eulogy was a quote by Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard — “A being is only as valuable as he can serve others” — and the eulogy was dedicated to King for his life of service.