Release #475-00

 

Contact:

Sunny Mindel / Lynn Rasic (212) 788-2958

MAYOR GIULIANI HOSTS ANNUAL GRACIE MANSION HOLIDAY RECEPTION
FOR SURVIVORS OF THE SHIELD

Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani this evening hosted a Gracie Mansion reception for the members of the Survivors of the Shield (SOS), an organization dedicated to the families of Police Officers and Firefighters who lost their lives in the line of duty.

"I am pleased to welcome you to Gracie Mansion in celebration of the holiday season," Mayor Giuliani said. "I would like to thank the members of the Survivors of the Shield who had the vision to start and maintain this important network of support. The work that SOS provides - real social, economic and emotional support to the families of men and women who lost their lives in the line of duty - is so important to those families and sets a wonderful example for all New Yorkers. The efforts of the Survivors of the Shield truly captures the meaning of the holidays."

Joining the Mayor for the reception were NYPD Commissioner Bernard Kerik, FDNY Commissioner Thomas Von Essen and SOS President Susan McCormack. At the reception, children enjoyed a variety of activities such as face painting, a puppet show, and balloon making.

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