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http://www.assistnews.net/Stories/s04090064.htm

ASSIST News Service (ANS) - PO Box 2126, Garden Grove, CA 92842-2126 USA
E-mail: danjuma1@aol.com, Web Site: www.assistnews.net

Friday, September 10, 2004

NATIONAL PREPAREDNESS MONTH IS LAUNCHED IN WASHINGTON, D.C.
Christian Emergency Network Taking A Leading Role

By Michael Ireland
Chief Correspondent, ASSIST News Service

WASHINGTON, D.C, (ANS) -- Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge spoke to 100 participants and organizers Sept. 9 at the launch of the National Preparedness Month in Washington, D.C.

Ridge encouraged the national emergency relief organization leaders to continue calling America to personal and family preparedness for any natural or man-made disasters.

Ridge began his speech with "Failing to prepare is preparing to fail," a quote from Hall of Fame UCLA basketball coach John Wooden.

He continued, "Three years after 9/11, I can tell you that working in common effort for the common good is how Americans must approach homeland security. Because when I say homeland security, I'm not speaking of a federal strategy; I'm speaking about the mission and the mandate of an entire nation."

Before his message, Ridge met with Christian Emergency Network (CEN) Chairman Mary Marr on how the Christian community can assist the efforts of homeland security in national preparedness. Ridge told CEN he is fully committed to finding new avenues to partner with the Christian community in national preparedness.

During the event, Senator Joe Lieberman told the attendees that "we can either panic or prepare as a nation, as a family, and personally."

American Red Cross President and CEO Marty Evans reminded the audience that people do not think twice about wearing a seat belt or placing their children in safety seats so it is reasonable in the 21st century to prepare for potential hazards of all types.

CEN national partners CBN-TV, The Salvation Army, and National Religious Broadcasters joined CEN for this national launch. CBN-TV will provide viewers with an inside view of the event as well as SRN News in coming days.

While Red Cross officials stressed the importance of making a plan, making a kit, and being informed, CEN continues to call Christians to equip themselves with 72-hour survival kits at www.CENkits.com and stay informed through their local Christian broadcasters.

In an interview with CBN-TV, CEN Chairman Marr explained that personal preparation is the first step in helping others.

"The recent Russian school terrorism attacks and Hurricane Frances should remind us that no one is immune from tragedy. This is God's wake-up call to His children as in the day of Noah: make a plan, make a kit, keep informed, and practice your plan with your family, co-workers, and congregation," Marr said.

Home Depot, Starbucks, Nextel, Kmart, Target, and many other commercial organizations are committed this month to encouraging their customers in making a plan, kit, and being informed.

In its survival kits, CEN offers first aid supplies as well as prayer/praise prompts, an emergency plan guide developed by The Salvation Army, a Bible from Zondervan, and Campus Crusade for Christ seeker booklets, along with 24/7 salvation counseling information through the NeedHim ministry.

CEN will work with Homeland Security and The Salvation Army to provide training for churches desiring to be a support to their communities in times of crisis.

To keep informed and partner with hundreds of Christian ministries and media log on to www.ChristianEmergencyNetwork.org
flash news emails. To make a plan and kit, log onto www.CENkits.com.

You're encouraged to reprint this information as long as you include the following sentence -- "Source: Christian Emergency Network, www.ChristianEmergencyNetwork.org"

** Michael Ireland is an international British freelance journalist. A former reporter with a London newspaper, Michael is the Chief Correspondent for ASSIST News Service of Garden Grove, CA. Michael immigrated to the United States in 1982 and became a US citizen in Sept., 1995. He is married with two children. Michael has also been a frequent contributor to UCB Europe, a British Christian radio station.

** You may republish this story with proper attribution.