On February 4th, 2004, a most historic event was held in Washington, DC at the Ronald Reagan Federal Building. Entitled Ambassadors for Peace: Honoring Leadership in Reconciliation and Peacemaking, this special program not only honored the crucial work of reconciliation, but also had the reconciliation process woven into its content. Despite significant challenges at the most critical time for the program preparation, the banquet was a beautiful and rich experience for a diverse audience of political leaders, Ambassadors for Peace, and Christians, Jews and Muslims. Among the participants were some 40 Members of Congress and their representatives and nearly 20 Ambassadors and other members of the diplomatic corps.

In light of the many obstacles and challenges that had to be addressed to make this program a success, the uplifting spirit and energy of this "Ambassadors for Peace" banquet were clearly a testament to the sacrificial love of Heavenly Father, True Parents, and the support of the saints of the spiritual world. There are a number of factors which I believe were crucial to the success of this event. First, our leaders – Rev. Kwak, Dr. Yang, Dr. Thomas Walsh, Rev. Michael Jenkins, etc. – strongly united with True Parents’ heart and direction. Second, our brothers and sisters around America joined with serious heart to offer sincere prayer conditions, fasting, etc. to support this event. Finally, the preparations were supported by the unity of Christians, Muslims, and Jews, plus the unity of first and second generations.

The February 4th banquet came on the foundation of the successful rally for peace and reconciliation in Jerusalem on December 22nd, 2003. There the three Abrahamic faiths of Judaism, Christianity and Islam engaged in reconciling acts highlighted by the honoring of Jesus as the King of Peace. To connect with and expand upon this important foundation, the February 4th event was planned around the theme "Leadership in Reconciliation and Peacemaking", and on the foundation of Ambassadors for Peace from around America. The program was both for honoring leadership and for uplifting reconciliation; 86 Ambassadors for Peace from 44 different states were recognized with the "Crown of Peace" award, plus three special national awards. In addition, two Congressmen and one UN ambassador were honored with the Leadership and Good Governance award.

These honors given were called "Crown of Peace" awards in the understanding that overcoming barriers and loving one’s enemies requires victories of the heart and spirit. When one overcomes boundaries of race, religion, and culture in loving others, they can be considered "champions" of love and peace. As expressed in James 1:12, "Blessed is the man who endures trials, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life which God has promised to those who love Him." The same type of spirit is conveyed in True Father’s profound poem "Crown of Glory" which he wrote at the age of sixteen (and which was printed in the February 4th banquet program.)

Plans for this special program took shape in early January, and the venue was set at the Dirksen Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill. A special Capitol Hill outreach team was set up under the able leadership of John Dickson, and included the dynamic mix of experienced volunteers like Olga Kennedy, Shelley Watanabe, and many others with the energy and dedication of a special 2nd generation CARP/STF team. This Capitol Hill team engaged in a focused campaign that was both practical and prayerful, and which worked in cooperation with field efforts in virtually every state.

The 2nd generation volunteers on the Capitol Hill team were genuinely inspiring. They brought enthusiasm and dedication to their tasks, and learned that even menial tasks like sending faxes can be an opportunity for prayer and spiritual investment. They experienced the range of campaign activities, and put in long hours without complaint. When they visited Capitol Hill, they moved with ease and confidence in the world of Congressional staffers (most of whom are in their twenties.) This 2nd gen group made a significant contribution to the success of this campaign.

As the day of the event approached, we knew from past experience that our efforts of faxing and calling, augmented by letters of encouragement by constituents, would pay off in confirmations on the final two days of the campaign. We entered that final phase of the mobilization confident that we would have a strong showing by Members of Congress. And then less than 48 hours before the event, we got some very shocking news – the Senate Office Buildings were closed down due to a toxic substance (ricin) found in the Dirksen Building – the very location of our event.

This unexpected and unfortunate incident obviously had a major impact on our event. Not only did the building closings make it impossible to hold our banquet there, but also significantly hampered our ability to communicate with Senators. Determined to proceed undeterred, our campaign leaders sought to move the banquet to an appropriate alternate location. With the help and preparation of the spiritual world, we were able to secure the location at the Ronald Reagan Building only 26 hours before the start of our event. We were quite fortunate to find such a dignified and appropriate location at literally the very last minute. Even staff members on Capitol Hill considered it miraculous.

The banquet program was beautiful and inspiring. One unique dimension was the debuting of a special song called the "Jerusalem Peace Song", inspired by our Middle East Peace Initiative and authored by US Senator Orrin Hatch, Utah Senator Howard Stephenson and others. The performers of the song were quite inspired to reflect the spirit of reconciliation among the children of Abraham. Another unique dimension was the segment on "Native American Peacemakers", which focused on the essential need for reconciliation in the relationship between Native Americans and white America.

Three leaders were also recognized with special "Crown of Peace National Awards." Rabbi David Ben Ami was honored for his lifelong work in promoting Christian-Jewish cooperation, as well as for his frontline efforts in support of the Civil Rights movement forty years ago. Dr. Wyatt Tee Walker of Harlem, New York, a legendary Civil Rights leader, was also honored on the national level, as was Imam Haithem Bundajki

The MC for the first half of the program was The Honorable Walter Fauntroy. He again did a masterful job of guiding the program with an embracing spirit. Our Banquet Co-Chairs included Congressman Danny K. Davis (D-IL) and Congressman Chris Cannon, both of whom made valuable contributions to the program. After a powerful video on the Middle East Peace Initiative, Congressman Davis gave a moving introduction to Rev. Kwak by reading the True Father’s poem, the " Crown of Glory." Rev. Kwak delivered the keynote address which conveyed a significant message about God’s providence and the establishment of the Peace Kingdom.

The pinnacle of the event came with the unfolding of the Ceremony of Reconciliation. Religious leaders, many of whom traveled from the Holy Lands for this event, came together in moving gestures of reconciliation among Jews, Christians and Muslims. On this foundation, a crown for Jesus as a king of peace could be offered by Jewish leaders and received by a Christian representative. In this way the program not only talked about reconciliation, but in fact engaged in the reconciling process itself. Dealing in such a profound way with the root causes of division is really remarkable, and a testament to the insight and leadership of True Parents. Such leadership on the global level really qualifies True Parents as the champions of true love and peace.

In this light, "crowns of peace" were offered in a special presentation to True Parents as the "King and Queen of Peace". Because True Parents were unable to attend, they were represented by Hyun Jin Nim and Jun Sook Nim. This beautiful and dignified presentation included political leaders and religious leaders together, representing all faiths and races in America. This was indeed a thrilling moment in God’s providence.

Hyun Jin Nim offered remarks of acceptance on behalf of his parents. Though his comments were brief, many participants commented on how impressed they were with his poise and spirit. The program was brought to a close with a moving musical rendition of the Lord’s Prayer.

We are grateful to God for the grace and love experienced in this event. We also deeply appreciate the leadership of Heung Jin Nim and the spiritual saints, for this event could not have taken place without the preparation and investment of the spiritual world. And most of all we owe our heartfelt appreciation to True Parents for allowing this precious opportunity for attendance to take place in our nation’s capital.

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