LOS ANGELES, April 5 -- A street in Los Angeles has been renamed after the late L. Ron Hubbard, founder of the Church of Scientology. City Council President John Ferraro, speaking at Saturday's dedication ceremony for L. Ron Hubbard Way, said the author's humanitarian works 'are contributing greatly to helping eradicate illiteracy, drug abuse and criminality in the city of Los Angeles.'
The Church of Scientology estimates that more than 7,000 people, including celebrities John Travolta and Kirstie Alley, attended the ceremony. Church of Scientology International President Heber Jentzch said, 'It is from this city that Scientology has expanded worldwide like no other religious movement in the 20th Century.' Added Jentzch: 'It was due to Mr. Hubbard's persistence in solving the causes of human suffering, of immorality, illiteracy and drug abuse, that today thousands of L.A. residents are leading lives salvaged from the raw deal of our decaying civilization.' The newly named street, formerly Berendo Street, links Sunset Boulevard with Fountain Avenue in the Hollywood area. Church of Scientology staff and volunteers landscaped the area and paved the 350- yard street with more than 150,000 bricks, creating the first brick- lined street in Los Angeles in 80 years. ---
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