August 24, 2002

CONTACT:
Dania Fradkin
Founding Church of Scientology
Washington, D.C.
(202) 667-6404
Linda Simmons Hight
Church of Scientology International
(323) 960-3500
mediarelationsdir@scientology.net

SCIENTOLOGY MINISTER EARNS D.C. MAYOR’S AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING SERVICE TO COMMUNITY

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Rev. Susan Taylor, president of the Founding Church of Scientology in Washington, D.C., was one of 16 religious leaders presented with the First Annual Mayoral Clergy Awards in ceremonies at the Renaissance Hotel August 23.

District of Columbia Mayor Anthony A. Williams presented Rev. Taylor with a lifetime achievement award in recognition of extraordinary volunteer community work on behalf of her Church. In more than 30 years as a Scientology minister, she has supported programs for literacy, drug rehabilitation, grief counseling and disaster relief. She is currently working with the Court Services and Offenders Supervision Agency (CSOSA) in its program to help ex-offenders re-enter the community as productive citizens.

Rev. Taylor is chair of the Education Committee of the Mayor’s Interfaith Council, an active member of East of the River Clergy, Police and Community Partnership, and executive board member of DC MAP.

Other awardees were Rev. Dr. J. Philip Wogaman, senior minister of the Foundry United Methodist Church; Cardinal Theodore E. McCarrick, Archbishop of Washington; Rev. Nathan Baxter, Dean of the National Cathedral; Rev. Clark Lobenstine, executive director of the Interfaith Conference of Metropolitan Washington; Rabbi Jeffrey Wohlberg of Adas Israel Congregation; Re. Leon Lipscombe Sr. of Allen Chapel African Methodist-Episcopal Church; Imam Yusuf Saleem of the Muslim American Society; Rev. Andrew Fowler, president of Washington Baptist Seminary; Bishop Alred Owens, Greater Mount Calvary Holy Church; Rev. Judith Talbert, Faith Tabernacle of Prayer for All People Church; Bishop S. Herman Howard, Temple of God in Christ; and Rev.. Sylvia Sumter, Unit Church of Washington.

The Founding Church of Scientology was established in 1954 at 19th and S Street, N.W., and in 1975 moved to the 21st block of S Street, N.W. In 1995, the Church moved to the historic Fraser Mansion in Dupont Circle at the corner of R and Connecticut Ave., N.W.

Tours are available daily for those interested in the history of the restored 1890 building or those interested in finding out more about the Scientology religion. For information, contact Dania Fradkin (202) 667-6404.