Scientology News: Tom Cruise Tops List of Scientology Celebrities at Celebrity Centre International 34th Anniversary

Scientologists and their friends celebrated the 34th anniversary of Church of Scientology Celebrity Centre International in Hollywood August 2, 2003, with a gala under the stars. Celebrity Centre provides Scientology religious services to artists, in the spirit of founder L. Ron Hubbard’s recognition that “A culture is only as great as its dreams, and its dreams are dreamed by artists.”

Soul legend Isaac Hayes, rock legend Edgar Winter and Academy award-nominated composer and trumpeter Mark Isham performed for the 1,400 Scientologists and their guests, including local and federal government officials and community leaders.

United States Congressman Xavier Becerra of California’s 31st District told the Gala audience that he is proud to acknowledge the contributions and achievements of Scientologists in their communities.

President of Church of Scientology Celebrity Centre International, Ms. Susan Watson, welcomed the 1,600 guests to the annual gala marking the anniversary of Celebrity Centre International, which is one of 12 Celebrity Centres worldwide.

Before the concert, U.S. Congressman Xavier Becerra addresses the audience, praised the contributions of Scientologists to the betterment of the community.

Celebrity Centre International President Susan Watson told the audience that the Scientology religion’s popularity in the arts mirrors its overall growth, with millions of members in 154 countries today.

“Because Scientology is a practical religion, and a body of technology that is used to improve conditions in life, people tell others about it,” said Ms. Watson.

Former NAACP regional director Ernestine Peters spoke at the Gala about her current work for literacy through the World Literacy Crusade, a program using the Study Technology of L. Ron Hubbard.

Hollywood entertainment industry people were among the 1,600 guests at the 34th anniversary Celebrity Centre gala, along with Scientologists Tom Cruise, Kelly Preston, Anne Archer, Jenna Elfman, Leah Remini and others.

At the 34th Anniversary Gala, Israel Miranda and Joe Higgins, who were intimately involved in the rescue and recovery operations at Ground Zero, spoke about the center Tom Cruise helped establish just two blocks from Ground Zero in downtown Manhattan. This facility uses the detoxification technology developed in the late 1970s by L. Ron Hubbard and they spoke of how they and more than 200 colleagues have personally benefited from it.

Miranda and Higgins presented an honorary FDNY fire helmet, its inscription reading, “To our brother, L. Ron Hubbard, from your brothers at the New York City Fire Department: We honor you with this helmet, a symbol of our motto, ‘to protect life and property,’ which the legacy of your technology embodies.”

Celebrity Centres work with artists and others whose broad visions for social enhancement are essential for the positive progression of society. Twelve Celebrity Centre churches exist in the world’s cultural centers, including New York, Paris, Vienna, London and Nashville. Their purpose derives from L. Ron Hubbard’s 1951 statement: “A culture is only as great as its dreams, and its dreams are dreamed by artists.”

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