Ugandan priest receives American revolution award
The Rev. Can. Sam Murangi, a Ugandan and naturalised American, has been honored with the prestigious National Daughters of the American Revolution (NSDAR) Americanism Medal. Murangi was selected from a pool of 3,000 applicants, with only five individuals receiving the award.
The distinguished National Daughters of the American Revolution (NSDAR) Americanism Medal has been awarded to the Rev. Can. Sam Murangi, a Ugandan who became a naturalised American citizen.
Out of 3,000 candidates, only five people were chosen to receive the honor, including Murangi.
During the awarding ceremony at the US-based Emmanuel Resurrection Church on September 8, 2024, Murangi was recognised for transforming and leading this parish since January 2015.
The Americanism Medal is awarded to an adult man or woman who has been a naturalised US citizen for at least five years. Recipients must demonstrate outstanding leadership qualities, trustworthiness, service and patriotism. They must have actively assisted other aliens in becoming American citizens and shown exceptional abilities in community affairs, particularly within the foreign-born community.
This year, Murangi is one of only five approved nominations nationwide for the NSDAR Americanism Medal. He was sponsored by the Independence Hall Chapter, NSDAR, and brought to our attention by member Anne Peckham.
Murangi became a naturalised citizen of US in 2011 and is a registered voter. He has assisted many families from West African countries in settling in the US and becoming citizens themselves. Murangi, a statement indicates, exemplifies the best of what immigrants bring to America: Hard work, patriotism and a focus on community.
As an Episcopal priest, he values personal integrity, self-improvement through education and addressing neighborhood issues by building a faith community. Murangi is married to Yvonne and is a father of two daughters.
He is recognised for his leadership in rejuvenating parishes in the Philadelphia area that struggle with decreasing membership and the encroachment of neighborhood crime, violence and drug abuse.
According to information reaching New Vision Online, these challenges have made many urban and historical churches undesirable for Sunday worship and unsustainable as safe places for communal activities. Alongside his work in Philadelphia, Murangi continues his charitable efforts in Uganda.
