Virginia Interfaith Center names Emmett Hanger Citizen Legislator of the Year

The Virginia Interfaith Center recognized its 2014 Legislator and Advocates of the Year at its annual meeting last night at the Roslyn Conference Center in Richmond.

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 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 that were 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. He represents Augusta County, Greene County, Madison County, Rockingham County, Staunton, Waynesboro, and parts of Culpeper County.
• Debra Linick (Annandale, Va.) – The Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy 2014 Citizen Advocate of the Year is Debbie Linick. She was 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 has worked and partnered with the Virginia Interfaith Center 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 were 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 was held on the evening of Wednesday, December 3rd at the Roslyn Conference Center in Richmond, Virginia. The program included 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.

Pictures about the event are at www.facebook.com/virginiainterfaithcenter. A news release is at www.virginiainterfaithcenter.org/annual-meeting-news-december-3-2014.