ATI Chairman Noel Irwin Hentschel Honored By AME Church With Coveted Legacy Of Peace Award

(EMAILWIRE.COM, May 04, 2007 ) Los Angeles -- Noel Irwin Hentschel, Chair/CEO/Founder of AmericanTours International (ATI), was honored with the First A.M.E. Church's 2007 Legacy of Peace Award presented to Hentschel last Sunday (29) by Sr. Minister Dr. John J. Hunter before a congregation of 600 people at the predominantly African American First African Methodist Episcopal Church (FAME) in South Los Angeles. Historically, US presidents visiting Los Angeles, attend services at FAME. Dr. Hunter stated that the honor was awarded to Hentschel for her "contribution to the rebuilding, healing and restoration of Los Angeles." The presentation was part of the church service that marked the 15th anniversary of the Rodney King riots that rocked Los Angeles in 1992. At the same event, entertainer Stevie Wonder sang and spoke to the congregation; and presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) delivered a stirring speech saying America needs to heal in the same way Los Angeles needed to heal after the riots. The senator recalled that the "uprising was a result of mounting frustration over the lack of opportunity for young people, especially people of color." This is not the first time Hentschel and Senator Obama have shared a podium. They were both featured speakers at Rosa Parks' 2005 funeral in Detroit. Hentschel has a working history with the First A.M.E. church helping underprivileged youngsters in South Los Angeles and Mexico. She received the peace award this year for her Noel Foundation's creation of its "Education Through Travel" program formed in response to the riots. In partnership with the Rosa Parks Institute and the Los Angeles Urban League, Noel launched the program as an annual Visit-America trip for disadvantaged youths to learn about the United States. These trips have included visits to national parks, state capitals and Washington D.C. where one year they met President Clinton. "These experiences have made a difference in their lives and the lives of those they have touched." said Hentschel. "Some of our efforts can be grand, others small, but we must constantly keep looking for ways to serve in our communities and to lead by example." Other recipients awarded the Legacy of Peace Award Sunday included Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, Chief of Police William Bratton, Sheriff Lee Baca and Supervisor Yvonne Brathwaite Burke. # # #Contact:Gerald PorterTel: 310 248-4479

gerald porter

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