12 July 2008 – McLean, Virginia, USA
Amma was welcomed to the D.C. Metropolitan Area by Fairfax County Supervisor John Faust. “All her life Amma has offered her every thought, word and deed for the benefit of others,” he said. “Amma is known and respected around the world for her charitable and humanitarian efforts. Through her Ashram and mission she has built hospitals, orphanages, hospices, shelters, community-aid centres and tens of thousands of homes for the poor through the tsunami and Katrina relief efforts and countless other humanitarian and charitable efforts. And through her divine embrace, Amma has demonstrated her love for others and has made a huge difference in the lives of millions of people around the world. Amma, we in Fairfax County, consider this to be your home, your ashram.”
Faust then presented Amma with a plaque that read:
Presented to Her Holiness Sri Mata Amritanandamayi Devi: In recognition of her tireless global humanitarian work, rehabilitation of tsunami victims in South East Asia, raising one-million dollars towards President Clinton’s Hurricane Katrina relief fund, and blessing the Washington Metropolitan Region through her visits each summer over the last 11 years.