Grand Opening of the Church of Scientology Buffalo

Mr. Anthony Masiello - Mayor of Buffalo

Let me preface my remarks to welcome David Miscavige. Thank you so much for being here today, certainly Jenna Elfman and certainly Billy Sheehan, welcome, so nice to have you. And each and every one of you who have come to Buffalo, New York, from all over the country let me just ask you one favor.

When you go back home wherever that may be, please tell your friends and your relatives and your neighbors that there was no snow in Buffalo, New York on November 16th. However I can't guarantee tomorrow for you.

But what we do have here in Buffalo, New York are great people, great architecture, great opportunity and I think this represents the best of the best here today. And while, like so many of you, I've been looking forward to this moment for some time.

It means a great deal to all of us, and I do have a special presentation in recognition of that event in a few minutes. But first I wanted to say something on a matter that I think is pretty close to the hearts of Scientologists here today.

Now, I have worked alongside of you for many years. I know your programs and your mission. I know your commitment to helping others is not limited to your own members. And I know the way you extend that help is by building the base from which you operate—the organization which is home to every Scientologist here in Buffalo. Not only in the physical sense, but in your numbers and your ability, more importantly, your ability to deliver.

In that regard, a little history is in order. I know that in the 1960s, your founder, L. Ron Hubbard, also established and took charge of an international center for Scientology in Sussex, England, a place called Saint Hill Manor. Through his administrative expertise, he built that organization large enough to decisively influence our world. That level of expansion and success as a Church organization is known today as a benchmark every church aspires to.

That level is called "Saint Hill size."

Now, then, I say to the staff and members of the Church of Scientology here in Buffalo, why shouldn't the City of Buffalo have an organization of such scope housed in this grand building?

Well, why not?

I therefore say to the Scientologists of this city, in this building: Let's take the Church of Scientology of Buffalo to and beyond "Saint Hill size!"