May 16, 2001

     Author Stephen R. Covey, culture critic C. DeLores Tucker and entrepreneurship leader Bishop Harold Calvin Ray were among dozens of faith-based and community leaders honored last night by The Washington Times Foundation.

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     The National Service Award recipients were selected for their outstanding efforts on behalf of those in need — for "renewing our communities, one family and one block at a time," said the Rev. Walter E. Fauntroy, a former House delegate for the District of Columbia.
     More than 60 congressmen and senators came to the Capitol Hill event to greet award winners from their states.
     The Times Foundation also presented a special Lifetime Service Award to the Rev. Sun Myung Moon for his more than 30 years of investment in America.
     Rev. Moon, who attended with his wife, Hak Ja Han Moon, and several of their children, was praised for his commitment and vision in starting many humanitarian organizations, as well as his leadership and courage in speaking out about social and family problems.
     "Mediocrity never inspires any great hatred or enmity," longtime community activist Robert L. Woodson Sr. said in introducing the 81-year-old Korean evangelist, who recently finished a 52-day, 52-city speaking tour.
     "It´s only when you find your target do people shoot at you, Mr. Moon," Mr. Woodson said.
     Rev. Moon gave the keynote address, in which he challenged both U.S. and world leaders to work harder to end divorce, promiscuity, human-rights violations, misuse of public money, racism and religious strife.
     "May you live for the sake of others. ... Let us become the sacred children of God," he said, stressing the importance of harmonious family relationships.
     The Rev. Mark Scott, associate director of the White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives, offered congratulations on behalf of the Bush administration to the Moons and the 64 recipients of the service awards.
     The Times Foundation honored six individuals and couples for their national-level accomplishments, including: Mr. Covey, the father of nine children and author of "The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People"; Mrs. Tucker, president of the National Council for Black Women, who gained national stature for her stand against "gangsta rap"; and Mr. Ray, a West Palm Beach, Fla., minister who has created a massive entrepreneurship system with 20,000 churches to "eliminate historic poverty."
     Also honored were: the Rev. Herbert H. Lusk II of Philadelphia, a former football star who founded the People for People anti-poverty program; Kenith and Scyretty Sandifer, who manages a program in Cleveland to reconnect fathers to their families; and Pastor Freddie Garcia and his wife, Ninfa, who run the Victory Fellowship Ministry for substance abusers in Texas.
     Among the members of Congress who attended were Republican Sens. Robert F. Bennett of Utah and Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania, and former Sen. Larry Pressler, South Dakota Republican.
     House Republicans included J.C. Watts Jr. of Oklahoma, Wally Herger of California, Christopher Shays of Connecticut and Roscoe G. Bartlett of Maryland. Among the House Democrats who attended were Danny K. Davis of Illinois, Alcee L. Hastings of Florida, D.C. Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton, and Sheila Jackson Lee of Texas.
     The Washington Times Foundation, established in 1984, is a nonprofit organization devoted to encouraging the highest ideals in cultural values and public service.

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Updated at 8:00 a.m.