Al Albergate... is a member of the Soka Gakkai International-USA Buddhist organization and has been practicing Buddhism in SGI-USA since 1973. He is married to Diana with two children, Justin and Kathryn, and currently resides in Hermosa Beach, CA. He was raised in Glen Rock, N.J., and attended St. Catherine's Elementary School, Bergen Catholic H.S. and the University of Notre Dame (for 2 years). He holds a bachelor's degree in English from U.C.L.A. and an M.A. in Journalism from the University of Missouri. Al is currently employed full-time as Director of Community Relations/Director of the Public Relations Department for SGI-USA, which explains in part his enthusiasm for and presence at many interfaith activities. Some of his more interesting assignments have sent him to Cape Town, South Africa, to attend the third Parliament of the World's Religions in 1999; the National Buddhist-Catholic Dialogue in Malibu, Calif., in 1998; an Earth Charter conference in Cuiaba, Brazil, in 1998; the Second Parliament of the World's Religions in Chicago, 1993; and several annual meetings of the American Academy of Religion. He also serves as a lay leader, specifically a Vice General Director, in the religious organization, currently assigned to the Los Angeles Coastal Region. Al also is an authorized Minister of Ceremonies in SGI-USA and, as such performs weddings and funeral services. He joined the national staff of SGI-USA in March 1989 to do public relations and work with the publications. He first served as assistant managing editor of the World Tribune weekly newspaper before becoming managing editor of the Seikyo Times (now Living Buddhism) monthly magazine. In 1993 he began devoting full-time to public relations. Prior to 1989, Al worked for more than 10 years alternately as press secretary and public information officer for the L.A. County District Attorney. From 1972-78, he was the criminal courts reporter for the L.A. Herald-Examiner newspaper. From 1970-72 he worked as the City Hall reporter for the Davenport (IA) Times-Democrat newspaper. e-Mail aalbergate@sgi-usa.org