Kansas City, Missouri ? The Executive Director of the Batey Relief Alliance, Ulrick Gaillard, presented on October 2, 2004 a lifetime Honorary Board Membership to Dominican born baseball manager of the Kansas City Royals, Tony Peña. The plaque reads: For setting distinguished leadership examples for others to follow. ?I am honored to be part of this great work with the Batey Relief Alliance,? said Mr. Peña.

The presentation ceremony took place at the Royals Stadium where Mr. Peña also received and wore the BRA?s official cap. ?It is truly an important milestone for the BRA as Mr. Peña joins our organization and brings solidarity to the people we work with and serve in the Dominican Republic,? said Gaillard.

Gaillard met with Mr. Peña a month ago, a meeting organized by members of the BRA chapter in Kansas City and the office of the Royals? President, Dan Glass. There Mr. Peña expressed his great interests in helping while Gaillard explained the humanitarian health projects undertaken by the organization in the bateyes. ?Just tell me what to do and I will do it. It is important to give back, and when you give back, God will bless you even more,? added Mr. Peña.

Other honorary members to the BRA Board include Dr. Ruben Silie, past Executive Director of the Dominican-based FLACSO ? Facultad Latinoamericana de Ciencias Sociales and now Secretary General of the Association of Caribbean States, and Rhoda Jacobs, New York State Senior Assemblywoman and Assistant Speaker Pro Tempore.

For questions about this release, please contact Ulrick Gaillard at bra@bateyrelief.org or (917) 627-5026. For information about the work of the BRA, visit us at www.bateyrelief.org.