Archives of the Mayor's Press Office

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: Monday, April 16, 2001

Release #116-01

Contact: Sunny Mindel/Lynn Rasic
(212) 788-2958

MAYOR GIULIANI HONORS NYC POLICE AND FIRE WIDOWS AND
CHILDREN'S BENEFIT FUND AT GRACIE MANSION RECEPTION

Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani hosted a Gracie Mansion reception this evening to honor the New York City Police and Fire Widows and Children's Benefit Fund. The Mayor was joined by the Fund's Chairman, former New York Mets star Rusty Staub; the Fund's President, Stephen J. Dannhauser; Police Commissioner Bernard Kerik; and Fire Commissioner Thomas Von Essen.

Established by Rusty Staub in 1985, the New York Police and Fire Widows and Children's Benefit Fund has distributed more than $7.2 million to the families of police officers and fire fighters killed in the line of duty to assist them in coping with the financial burden of long-term education, housing and medical expenses.

"Our City's uniformed professionals routinely place themselves in harm's way to protect the rest of us," Mayor Giuliani said. "Too often in our City's history, police officers and firefighters have lost their lives while trying to safeguard the lives of others. It is in honor of these families, and in honor of the memory of the loved ones taken from them, that we gather here this evening.

"Since Rusty Staub established this fund in 1985, the Police and Fire Widows Children's Benefit Fund has provided immediate financial assistance to the families of police officers and firefighters who have died in the line of duty," the Mayor continued. "Last year alone, approximately 440 families received $2,000 each from the Fund. While these monetary payments can never compensate for the loss of a loved one, they can ease some of the concern that can result from the untimely death of a family member."

In addition, the Mayor thanked all the contributors whose donations help make the Benefit Fund a reality.


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