Maurice Strong, Under Secretary General, UN
Guest Speaker at the Grand Opening of the Church of Scientology New York

Thank you very much for those generous words of introduction and for this opportunity to share a very auspicious occasion with so many new Yorkers and others who rejoice with you in the opening here of this Church of Scientology. It is indeed an honor for me to have this opportunity of joining with you.

Now I also have to acknowledge the presence of so many other friends here and the generous remarks of my long–time friend, and I would even say, mentor, Congressman Rengel, Benjamin — Congressman Gilman, so many others here, who have really made New York the heart of our world.

No, I don’t live in New York; I’m often asked "do I live in New York?" and I say "no, but I live when I’m in New York". In fact, anyone who has not experienced New York has not fully lived.

Now, I did not have the privilege of knowing your remarkable, creative founder, L. Ron Hubbard. But, I have come to know him, as they say, it is through your works that you shall be known. Well, it is through the works of Scientology and it is through the works of so many of the people who have brought their inspiration and drive from this movement that I have come to have an appreciation of the importance of the contributions that this movement, this religion, has made to a more peaceful world and a better opportunity for each individual to experience the best of this world.