Washington, D.C. – The Universal Peace Federation (UPF) USA was the lead affiliate organization that organized the commemoration banquet celebrating the forty years anniversary of the historic Washington Monument Rally entitled “America and God’s Will”.
More than two hundred fifty people assembled at the Arbor Ballroom of The Washington Times to remember the urgent message of Rev. Sun Myung Moon on September 18, 1976. He said, “The United States of America, transcending race and nationality, is already a model of the unified world. She must realize that the abundant blessings which God has been pouring upon this land are not just for America, but are for the children of God throughout the world.” Some thirty original participants to the rally in 1976 were in attendance who received much applause and recognitions.
Dr. Ki Hoon Kim, Continental Chairman of UPF North America, gave welcoming remarks both somber and hopeful in tone. Invoking the themes and concerns voiced by Rev. Moon at the monument 40 years ago, Dr. Kim acknowledged the challenges our families and nation currently face, while also reaffirming that the only possible remedy to these challenges is the practice of forgiveness, love, and unity.
“Forty years ago, Rev. and Mrs. Moon felt a calling to bring this message, America and God’s Will, to the great American people,” said Dr. Kim. “His approach was not a simply patriotic message; he touched the very soul of the nation, highlighting the challenges to the family and nation, and proclaiming that if we unite, we can overcome communism. It was hard to believe then, but it was right on target. America can’t fulfill her role today without principled leadership. God prepared great leaders like you to lead America to real peace. Dr. Hak Ja Han Moon feels hope from you and feels that America is God’s hope. If we unite, we will witness transformation just like in 1976.”
The event highlighted the important works that have been done in the past four decades to resolve the three main issues in America and the world, which are the rise of communism and atheistic materialism, the decline of the family and the division among Christians and other faiths. Four speakers were invited to give brief presentations and testimonies how Rev. Moon spent his precious time and resources to resolve these so-called “God’s headaches” and to remind America of its role as God’s hope in building a world of peace and prosperity. Dr. Thomas Walsh, President UPF International gave a brief presentation on the many efforts currently organized by UPF to create a global community of leaders for peace through the inauguration to the International Association of Parliamentarians for Peace.
Mr. Richard De Sena, President, UPF USA together with Mrs. Tomiko Duggan, Executive Director, UPF Washington DC appointed four new Ambassadors for Peace namely: Rev. Karen Thibodeaux, founder of Lifeway Church of Dallas, and her husband Dr. Bishop David Thibodeaux; Amir Adam Khan, a singer, actor, and model; and Vicki Tiahrt, President of the Congressional Club for Spouses of Congress, Chairwoman of the 91st First Lady Luncheon, and Co-Founder of American Prayer Initiative.
And for the first time, four organizations were awarded, the Three Great Blessing Service Awards which was given by Mr. Tom McDevitt, Chairman, UPF USA together with Dr. Michael Balcomb, President Family Federation for World Peace and Unification (FFWPU) USA. Each of the recipients received a certificate of recognition and $1,000 donation toward the work of their non-profit and charitable organizations. The First Blessing award recipient was SeraphimGlobal that works to combat domestic violence and human trafficking both in America and abroad. The Mayur Kabob House Restaurant which offers free meals for the homeless and the Douglass Leadership Institute, an education and public policy organization were awarded the Second Blessing Award. While the Institute for Faith, Work & Economics, which makes efforts to enhance the workplace by applying biblical principles and revolutionizing the way people view work, were awarded the Third Blessing Award.
To conclude the festivities of sumptuous food, classical music and recognitions, Mrs. Angelika Selle, President, Women’s Federation for World Peace USA called the audience to make tangible and significant efforts to keep the fire going by telling the stories to someone new and to find new and creative ways to make Rev. Moon’s message our own – to adopt it and make a difference.
Contributed by: Emiljun Rapada, UPF USA with inputs from FFWPU USA
Washington, D.C. – The National Parents Day Coalition and the National Selection Committee named the 2016 America’s Parents of the Year, Lowell and America Callahan from Wheatland, California who were nominated by Bob and Maree Gauper from the same state.
The Callahans, who have been married for 37 years, have fostered special needs children (adopting four of them) and raised seven biological children. They are advocates for parents of children with special needs and assist Spanish-speaking families in accessing community resources and provide translation when necessary. They are devout members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and live their faith by caring for less fortunate people.
National Parents’ Day was proclaimed as a federal national holiday in 1994, after Dr. Hak Jan Han Moon proposed its creation before the U.S. Senate one year prior. President Bill Clinton approved the House Joint Resolution 398, declaring every fourth Sunday of July as a recurring and perennial day of commemoration. The 22nd annual Parents’ Day banquet, organized by the Parents Day Coalition headed by the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification (FFWPU) USA, the Universal Peace Federation (UPF) USA, the American Clergy Leadership Conference (ACLC), the Women’s Federation for World Peace (WFWP) USA, and The Washington Times Foundation (TWTF), was held on August 5, 2016 at the Arbor Ballroom of The Washington Times in Washington, D.C., where over 250 people gathered to honor finalists and recipients of the National Parents of the Year Award.
Awardees came from all around the nation, as far as Hawaii, and from a diverse range of religious and ethnic backgrounds. Some honorees brought their children and grandchildren, and were celebrated together, as exemplary families with parents who have demonstrated incredible sacrifice, love and virtue in raising their children and community.
“I am amazed to see such a rich array of different races and religions represented here tonight, which I did not expect and also don’t see in other places,” said Nabeela Ahmed, a Parents of the Year award nominee from Maryland. “It’s great that what brings everyone together and unites everyone is the common vision of family love and family values.”
The venue was beautifully decorated and provided tremendous dignity to the twelve top finalists for the National Parents of the Year, who are listed below. Nine of the couples attended the banquet.
Pastor Mark and Edna Abernathy (Georgia)
Lowell and America Callahan (California)
Apostle Ralph L. Edwards and Prophetess Irene Edwards (New York)
Kenneth and Kim Fox-Muhammad (North Carolina)
Sen. Mike and Carol Gabbard (Hawaii)
Daniel and Lakeisha Meadows Ivey (North Carolina)
Pastor Bill and Faye McDonnell (Nevada)
Bishop Alfred A., Jr. and Dr. Susie C. Owens (Washington, D.C.)
Andrew and Rebecca Powell (West Virginia)
Dr. John and Leah Schaut (Wisconsin)
Andrew and Judith Ross (Illinois)
Phengchanh and Wilaiwan Soundara (Virginia)
Mr. Larry Moffitt, Vice President of The Washington Times Foundation, emceed the program. To open the evening, Ms. Lubana Al Quntar, designated First Lady of Opera in her homeland of Syria sang the national anthem, and Barbara Moseley-Marks, Executive Director of UPF Virginia, gave a very moving invocation. A buffet dinner was then served, during which more musical selections were performed by Ms. Al Quntar.
Angelika Selle, President of WFWP USA, shared a few words recognizing the sponsoring organizations and the national selection committee for the Parents of the Year Award. Afterward, Rev. Tom Cutts, Executive Director of ACLC, gave an overview of the history of Parents’ Day.
“The Founders of our country recognized the importance of virtue,” he said. “I believe that the establishment of Parents’ Day takes the American experiment one step further toward the Constitutional Ideal of our Founders. Not only does society require good morality, and public virtue, but we also need true and loving parents. Today, we are celebrating more than just fatherhood and motherhood. I have heard it said that the best gift a father can give his child is to love the child’s mother. So, tonight we are also celebrating husbands and wives, and healthy marriages.”
After this message, Richard de Sena, President of UPF USA, shared a report on local Parents’ Day programs that happened across America to celebrate and express gratitude for all outstanding parents. He also gave an overview of Parents’ Day plans for the upcoming years. Several speakers gave congratulatory remarks, including FFWPU North America Continental Chairman, Dr. Ki Hoon Kim.
Tom McDevitt, Chairman of UPF USA, introduced the finalists for the 2016 National Parents of the Year award. Each couple and family was greeted onstage with rousing applause, as they receive their plaques of recognition and gifts. In response, three couples also shared brief words of gratitude to the organizers.
“What moved me most and brought me to tears were the individual stories of the awardees unique life experiences and accomplishments as told in their introductions,” said Stanley Marks.
Attendee Roberto Turconi said, “I was very inspired by the testimony of every honor recipient, about how they used their role as parents to help other less fortunate people, and how they used their time, resources and energy to build a better world.”
In addition to the Parents of the Year Award, the Legislator Parents of the Year Award was presented to Hon. Mike and Carol Gabbard; the Excellence in Parenting and Community Leadership Award was presented to Andrew and Rebecca Powell, Kenneth and Kim Fox-Muhammad, Andrew and Judith Ross, Phengchanh and Wilaiwan Soundara, David and Lakeisha Meadows-Ivey (not present), and Dr. John and Lead Schaut (not present); and the Excellence in Parenting and Pastoral Leadership Award was presented to Pastor Mark and First Lady Edna Abernathy, Apostle Ralph and Prophetess Irene Edwards, Bishop Alfred Owens, Jr. and Dr. Susan Owens, and Pastor Billy and Faye McDonell (not present).
“Seeing everyone’s face with either a big smile or tears of joy made all the work we did, starting from the nomination process, to the selection and finally to the awards celebration, all worth it,” said Emiljun Rapada of UPF USA. “It was an honor to celebrate with these exemplary couples who genuinely gave and sacrifice everything for their families and community.”
Banquet attendee, Sevil Kalayci, said, “It was an inspiring night surrounded by wonderful people who love their families. I never knew there was a day set aside to recognize outstanding parents from around the country. It’s good to see an organization that promotes families and family values. Good parents should be recognized.”
In closing, Dr. Michael Balcomb, President of FFWPU USA gave a dynamic call to action inviting everyone to the upcoming 40th anniversary celebration of the Washington Monument Rally (September 17 in Washington, D.C.) and Peace Road rally. Archbishop George Augustus Stallings, Jr. Co-chairman of ACLC, gave closing remarks and a prayer. He urged the audience to make America parenting again.
“Congratulations to UPF USA for an exceptionally powerful and emotionally moving evening celebrating National Parents Day,” said Jan Du Plain, a banquet attendee. “The selection of honorees from around the nation was extraordinary, and each honoree’s story was special, inspiring us to each love more, serve more and be the best parents possible. Thank you UPF for once again being at the forefront of one of the most important movements in the world—restoring God-centered families in our society.”
Contributed by: Emiljun Rapada, UPF USA with inputs from FFWPU USA
New York, NY – The top twelve National Parents’ Day finalists has been announced. An online special report was published on July 21st by The Washington Times Advocacy Department and the National Parents Day Coalition.
The finalists(in alphabetical order) are the following:
Pastor Mark and First Lady Edna Abernathy of Snelville, Georgia
Mr Lowell and Mrs America Callahan of Wheatland, California
Apostle Ralph Edwards and Prophetess Irene Edwards of Harlem, New York
Mr Kenneth and Mrs Kim Fox-Muhammad of East Spencer, North Carolina
Senator Mike and Mrs Carol Gabbard of Kapolei, Hawaii
Mr Daniel and Mrs Lakeisha Meadows Ivey of Durham, North Carolina
Pastor Billy and Mrs Faye McDonnell of North Las Vegas, Nevada
Bishop Alfred Owens and Dr. Susie Owens of Washington D.C.
Mr Andrew and Mrs Rebecca Powell of Charleston, West Virginia
Mr Andrew and Mrs Judith Ross of Downers Grove, Illinois
Dr John and Leah Schaut of Kenosha, Wisconsin
Mr Phengchanh and Mrs Wilaiwan Soundara of Vienna, Virginia
The awarding and the announcement of the National Parents’ Day Awardee 2016 will be on August 5th at the Arbor Ballroom of The Washington Times, Washington D.C. with around 200 people invited to join the banquet and celebration.
The twelve (12) exemplary families were selected from forty-one (41) nominations coming from twenty-three (23) states across the United States. They have been nominated based on the following criteria:
Couple exemplifies qualities of sacrificial love.
Parents have overcome major obstacles (emotional, physical, financial, etc.) to provide for children’s personal development and happiness.
Couple exhibits qualities of personal moral virtue and/or religious commitment.
Parents have a noteworthy record of contributions to their family and community
For more information about the National Parents’ Day including its work and for future nominations of exemplary families in your communities, please visit the website at www.parentsday.com
Washington D.C. – The annual National Parents’ Day Awarding and Celebration 2016 will be held on the 5th of August at the Arbor Ballroom, The Washington Times from 6:00-8:30pm. The event will feature a delicious banquet dinner, entertainment, and speakers that will properly honor the Parents of the Year finalists and winners.
National Parents’ Day became law in 1994, when President Bill Clinton established the Fourth Sunday of July as a recurring and perennial day of commemoration. Since then, churches and community groups across the country have held annual activities designed to celebrate and strengthen families and to honor outstanding parents in their communities.
The genesis of this took place one year earlier on July 28, 1993, when Dr. Hak Ja Han Moon, as Co-Founder and Chairwoman of the Women’s Federation for World Peace, addressed members of the U.S. Congress on Capitol Hill. She was introduced by Senator Orrin Hatch of Utah. The day had been proclaimed “True Parents’ Day” by Senator Trent Lott of Mississippi, who in his designation statement urged his “colleagues in the U.S. Senate, and all citizens of our Nation to recognize and support True Parents Day and the restoration of God-centered families in our society.”
All fifty states are enjoined to send their representative couples through the different sponsoring organizations such as the American Clergy Leadership Conference (ACLC); Family Federation for World Peace and Unification (FFWPU) USA; The Washington Times Foundation (TWTF); Universal Peace Federation (UPF) USA and the Women’s Federation for World Peace (WFWP) USA. To nominate someone, please follow this online nominations and the deadline is on July 11th.
This is the time to recognize and celebrate the very best people you know who have given sacrificially of their lives, including their time, financial and emotional resources, and more, to fulfill that uniquely special and God-given role of being a father and mother.
The criteria for Parents’ Day nominations include: Exemplifying qualities of sacrificial love; Overcame major obstacles (emotional, physical, financial, etc.) to provide for the personal development and happiness of children; Exhibited qualities of personal moral virtue and/or religious commitment; and a noteworthy record of contributions to the family and community.
The National Selection Committee will process the nominations and select the finalists who will be then receiving the awards on the said date.
For more information, follow our website at www.parentsday.com or call our National Parents Days Coalition Secretariat at (212) 819-1999
Victory Celebration at East Garden, Irvington, New York USA
Elmsford, NY – The Universal Peace Federation USA recently concluded its midyear planning meeting in conjunction with the recent appointment of the new Chairman of UPF USA Mr. Tom McDevitt at the Hampton Inn – White Plains/Tarrytown on June 4-6, 2016.
The purpose of the meeting is to share and discuss about UPF USA’s vision, mission and goal, as well as important projects and curriculum for the upcoming American Leadership Conferences (ALCs). Fifteen executives and some spouses joined the meeting while the rest of the country joined via conference video call.
Currently, there are sixteen (16) states with active representatives and Chairman McDevitt together with President Richard De Sena hope to have representatives from all fifty states by the yearend. If interested or to recommend someone who might have the desire and passion to expand our work, please contact us at https://upfnorthamerica.org/contact-us.
On June 5th, the team joined the rest of more than three thousand participants for the 40th year anniversary celebration of the Yankee Stadium speech by the Rev. Dr. Sun Myung Moon. UPF co-founder, Dr. Hak Ja Han Moon attended the event dubbed as “God Bless America Family Festival” at the Belvedere Estate, Tarrytown, New York. Ambassadors For Peace and other friends of UPF also joined the celebration.
At the vendor’s village, UPF USA secured a booth and exhibited the recent activities and works of the organization on the areas of Interfaith Peacebuilding, Marriage and Family, Peace Education, Youth and Service and the widely known American Leadership Conference. President Richard De Sena, could not keep up with all people who expressed much interest to joining the programs of the federation.
On the final day, June 6th some of the UPF USA participants were invited to the Victory Banquet at the old residence of Rev Moon called the East Garden at Irvington New York.
The 3-day event was truly very productive and inspiring experience for all and energized everyone to continue with their mission in bringing about a world of peace and determine to send the message of Rev. Moon to America in creating “One Family Under God”.
Tarrytown, NY – In celebration of the 40th Anniversary of the “God’s Hope for America” speech of Universal Peace Federation (UPF) Founder Rev. Sun Myung Moon at Yankee Stadium on June 1, 1976. The Family Federation for World Peace and Unification (FFWPU) USA organized God Bless America Family Festival on June 5th and invited all other affiliate organizations to commemorate the day with UPF Co-Founder and wife of Rev Moon, Dr. Hak Ja Han Moon at the historical Belvedere Estate, New York. More than three thousand people joined the festival which featured vendors village, carnival, mini-tour on historical landmarks of the estate and the main celebration with entertainment.
UPF USA national staff and several state executive directors participated the event. A booth was designed showcasing the recent activities, programs and project of the federation. President Richard De Sena spent a lot of time entertaining visitors and explaining the vision and mission of UPF USA to curious attendees of the festival despite the soaking rain.
Special thanks to UPF Washington DC through its Executive Director Tomiko Duggan for bringing additional materials for the booth.
New York City, NY – UPF USA has a new chairman in the person of Mr. Tom McDevitt. He was appointed by Dr. Hak Ja Han Moon in April 2016 during the UPF co-founder’s 56th wedding anniversary in South Korea. His key responsibilities are to teach, help in strategic planning, and creatively raise funds for the organization.
Tom McDevitt also currently serves as the Chairman of The Washington Times (TWT) along with Chairman of the company’s Board of Directors. Mr. McDevitt became President of The Washington Times (TWT) in March 2007 just prior to the company’s 25th anniversary and served in that position through October 2012. As chief executive officer, he was responsible for all aspects of the news and information for the company. He led TWT through an intensive period of strategic turnaround, national market alignment, and product line expansion reaching more than ten million regular readers throughout America.
He first joined TWT as a business director in 1994 and was responsible for the launch of the The Washington Times National Weekly Edition which gained a circulation of more than 100,000 paid subscribers in all 50 states within the first three years.
In 2001, as General Manager of TWT Magazine Division, Tom had overall business responsibility for four periodicals – Insight, World & I, National Weekly Edition, and Washington Golf Monthly. From 2000-2001, as director of a 50-state marketing network affiliated with the TWTNational Weekly Edition, he designed and implemented a nationwide series of 88 “American Leadership Conference” two-day seminars, attracting more than 22,000 community leaders focused on the themes of freedom, faith and family.
Later, as TWT’s Director of Marketing, Tom supervised market research, brand strategy, community relations, promotions, circulation, marketing, and business development. He then served as Vice President for TWT and special assistant to the President, responsible for corporate relations and strategic planning.
From 2005 – 2007 in a stint away from The Washington Times, Tom served the Points of Light Foundation as Senior Vice President of Marketing and Communications. His areas of focus included promotion of corporate volunteer efforts in support of Hurricane Katrina relief, non-profit brand/marketing strategy, and nationwide marketing partnerships with the Walt Disney Company, Target, Ralph Lauren, and others in support of family volunteering and disaster relief.
In 2010, Tom also served as President of News World Media Development in a successful effort to re-acquire and develop a new media business plan and leadership team for The Washington Times. In a foray into local politics, Tom was a candidate for the Virginia House of Delegates in 1993, narrowly losing a hard-fought race against a four-term incumbent.
Mr. McDevitt speaks frequently to national and international audiences on restoration of America’s culture, principle-driven leadership, and grand strategy.
Tom graduated from the University of Maryland with a BA in Government, and he has completed Six Sigma training through Villanova University, and courses in leadership and productivity with the Franklin Covey Company and David Allen. He lives in Fairfax, Virginia, and is the proud father of five sons, ranging in age from 20 to 29 years old. He and his late wife from South Korea, Soon Ja Lee, were married for twenty years until she passed away in 2002. His youngest son, John passed away in October 2014. He practices Tai Chi in order to remain calm and golf to remain humble.
Reported by: Emiljun Rapada, UPF USA with inputs from Tom McDevitt
