Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani this evening hosted a reception at Gracie Mansion in honor of The Mickey Mantle Foundation, an organization founded in 1995 by Yankee legend Mickey Mantle to increase the awareness of the need for and to encourage organ donations.

The Mayor presented Olympic Wrestler Phil Lanzatella with the Street & Smith's Mickey Mantle Foundation Courage Award for championing the cause of organ and tissue donation. Mr. Lanzatella received a successful tissue donation of a heart valve in 1997 at the age of 35, and returned to competitive wrestling less than two years later.

"Each year more than 40,000 Americans around the country are in need of organ transplants. Unfortunately, many of them will die before one becomes available," said Mayor Giuliani. "The Mickey Mantle Foundation is typical of the spirit of Mickey, a true American hero to virtually everyone who ever watched him play ball, whose legacy includes his tireless advocacy on behalf of organ and tissue donation.

"Tonight we honor Brooklyn-native Phil Lanzatella, who received a heart valve donation, and who now works to raise public awareness about the importance of tissue and organ donations. I'm sure Mickey would be proud to know Phil promotes this important work and that his Foundation is leading the way in encouraging thousands to become organ donors," the Mayor concluded.

Sal Schiliro, Publisher of Street & Smith's and a sponsor of tonight's reception, said, "We will continue to inform people about the importance of organ donation because it saves lives. I'm proud to say I'm a registered organ donor, and I encourage others to do the same. We hope this event will continue to raise awareness of the importance of organ and tissue donation."

Mickey Mantle began his baseball career in 1951 with the New York Yankees and remained with the team until he retired in 1968. During the course of his famed 18-year career, "The Mick" played in 14 World Series and was named the American League's Most Valuable Player three times (1956, 1957 and 1962). He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1974.

The Mayor was joined at this evening's reception by, Danny Mantle, Executive Director of The Mickey Mantle Foundation and son of the Yankee legend; Sal Schiliro, Publisher of Street & Smith's; and by Dr. Dale Distant, Assistant Professor of Surgery at SUNY Health Science Center at Brooklyn and a leading transplant surgeon.

This year's reception is being catered by some of New York City's best restaurants including: Avenue, Barton Beer, Brooklyn Brewery, Chameleon, Coca-Cola Bottling Company of New York, DaNico's, Davidoff Cigars, East River Café, Heartland Brewery, Jefferson Market, Jim Beam Brands, Kobrick Coffee, Manhattan Beer, Michael's, Mickey Mantle's, New York Restaurant School, Patsy's Pizza, Ristorante Brunelli, and Vox Vodka.

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