from: http://www.prnewswire.com/yahoo/  - Today's News

San Francisco Mayor Honors Prem Rawat, Declares Prem Rawat Day

SAN FRANCISCO, June 28 /PRNewswire/ -- Gavin Newsom, Mayor of San Francisco, issued on June 16 a proclamation honoring Prem Rawat, known also as Maharaji, and declared June 16, 2005 PREM RAWAT DAY.  Mayor Newsom's proclamation reads as follows:

    Whereas, Prem Rawat is known internationally as a humanitarian leader and a steadfast proponent of peace.  His message of inner peace has inspired more than 9 million people in 50 nations; and

    Whereas, Prem Rawat has presented his message of peace to more than 26,000 citizens of the San Francisco Bay area; and

    Whereas, The Prem Rawat Foundation has initiated humanitarian efforts  which have generated more than $150,000 for the United Nations' World Food Programme, spearheaded tsunami hunger relief efforts in Sri Lanka, donated more than thirty tons of rice to war-torn Ivory Coast, and conducted ongoing medical clinics in India; and
    Whereas, Prem Rawat has been recognized for his message of peace and humanitarian efforts by United Nations officials; the Italian Parliament; and governors, state assemblies, and mayors throughout the United States; and

    Whereas, Prem Rawat will present a special UN 60th Anniversary address entitled "Peace Is Possible" on Friday, June 24th at the Herbst Theater in San Francisco, the historic site where the United Nations Charter was signed in 1945,
    Now, therefore, be it resolved that I, Gavin Newsom, Mayor of the City and County of San Francisco, in honor of Prem Rawat's outstanding contribution to the people of the world and in honor of his incredible accomplishments in improving the lives of millions of people, do hereby proclaim June 16, 2005 as

PREM RAWAT DAY in San Francisco.

    For Linda Pascotto, President of The Prem Rawat Foundation, "This
recognition bestowed by Mayor Newsom on behalf of the people of San Francisco honors Prem Rawat at a time when he is in San Francisco bringing his message of peace at a special event held by the UN 60th Anniversary Committee in the same hall where the UN Charter was signed 60 years ago.  We are grateful to Mayor Newsom for bestowing this award and to the UN 60th Anniversary Committee
for inviting Prem Rawat to address such a distinguished audience at this
historic event.  We also appreciate being able to express our support for the important work of the United Nations."