Legislator and Advocates to be recognized at Virginia Interfaith Center Annual Meeting.
RICHMOND, VA (December 3, 2014) – The Virginia Interfaith Center will recognize its 2014 Legislator and Advocates of the Year at its Annual Meeting today at the Roslyn Conference Center in Richmond, Virginia. In reference to today’s event CEO Marco Grimaldo said, “The Virginia Interfaith Center could not do its work without inspired advocates such as those being recognized.” Debra Linick, a citizen advocate being recognized by the Virginia Interfaith Center said, “The Virginia Interfaith Center models the importance of civility and substance in the public arena, and the moral imperative to lend our diverse voices of faith to the discussion about the valuable role of government in Virginian and American society.” Those to be recognized are as follows:
 |
Sen. Emmett Hanger (R-24th) – The Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy 2014 Citizen Legislator of the Year is Sen. Hanger. He will be recognized for his unyielding commitment of serving the Commonwealth of Virginia and his principled stance to make Healthcare more affordable and accessible for all Virginians. Mr. Hanger Chairs the Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources committee, and also serves on the Finance, Local Government, Rehabilitation and Social Services, and Rules committees. |
 |
Debra Linick (Annandale, Va.) – The Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy 2014 Citizen Advocate of the Year is Debbie Linick. She is being recognized for her passion for social justice, and efforts to educate and advocate on behalf of people in need in the Commonwealth of Virginia. This year, Debbie concludes her service to the Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) of Greater Washington and we are grateful for the opportunity to have worked with her. She as worked and partnered with the Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy over the past decade. |
 |
Melanie & Scott Smith (Blacksburg, Va.) – The Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy 2014 Citizen Advocates of the Year are Melanie and Scott Smith. They are being recognized for their commitment to interfaith advocacy work in New River Valley, in particular their efforts to engage new faith communities and reach out and invite others to join our collective cause. |
The 2014 Annual Meeting of the Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy will be the evening of Wednesday, December 3rd at the Roslyn Conference Center in Richmond, Virginia. The program will include an interfaith prayer service at 6:00pm, followed by a reception at 6:45pm, and a formal program to announce Legislators of the Year and Citizen Advocate awards at 7:30pm.
####
About the Virginia Interfaith Center
The Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy is Virginia’s oldest faith-based advocacy group. We are a nonpartisan coalition of faith communities working to create progressive public policy by engaging people of faith, educating the public about social issues, the legislative process, and the call to advocacy. The Center is the Virginia partner of the national Half-in-Ten Campaign to cut poverty in half in 10 years. More information at www.virginiainterfaithcenter.
Contact: Rob Martin, 804-314-2180 (direct) 643-2474, ext. 114 (office) rob@virginiainterfaithcenter.