WASHINGTON (AP) _ President Barack Obama has expressed admiration for a fellow “community organizer” who pastors a Roman Catholic church in New Orleans.

At a White House ceremony Monday for Asian American and Pacific Islander Month, Obama was introduced by Father Nguyen The Vien of Mary Queen of Vietnam Church.

The president noted that after Hurricane Katrina, Vien not only provided spiritual counsel, but also convinced the power company to restore electricity to the church’s neighborhood.

Obama observed, “Nobody messes with Father Vien. He tends to get what he wants.”