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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 14, 2002
PR-150-02
www.nyc.gov


MAYOR MICHAEL R. BLOOMBERG, GOVERNOR GEORGE E. PATAKI, AND NASA ADMINISTRATOR SEAN O'KEEFE CELEBRATE FLAG DAY

Ceremony Features American Flag from World Trade Center Site that Soared in Space

Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, Governor George E. Pataki, and NASA Administrator Sean O'Keefe, today celebrated Flag Day at a flag ceremony at the American Museum of Natural History's Rose Center for Earth and Space. A contingent of astronauts led by Commander Frank Culbertson presented Mayor Bloomberg with an American flag recovered from the site of the World Trade Center in the days following the September 11th attacks. Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly and Museum President Ellen Futter joined Mayor Bloomberg, Governor Pataki, Administrator O'Keefe at the ceremony.

"I am honored to receive the American flag on behalf of the people of New York City on this day of national celebration," Mayor Bloomberg said. "The American flag represents the ideals of liberty and democracy upon which our great country was founded and the spirit which guides the United States as a leader around the world. As New York City continues to rebuild, as young American men and women continue to battle terror overseas, and as local heroes continue to protect us here at home, we honor America today and draw inspiration from our glorious flag."

"This precious flag symbolizes the sacrifice and courage of the thousands of New Yorkers and Americans who perished on that fateful day," Governor Pataki said. "On behalf of all New Yorkers, I am proud to welcome the flag back to New York City to honor the innocent men and women who were working in the towers on September 11 and the countless heroes whose spirit and strength has helped carry us through this horrific ordeal."

"The tradition of carrying American flags into space dates back to the very beginning of this historic agency," Administrator O'Keefe said. "From the surface of the Moon to the unchartered regions of our galaxy, NASA has flown the American Flag as a patriotic symbol of truth, honor and justice. It is appropriate that we present this flag back to the city of New York on Flag Day."

"On behalf of the trustees and staff of the American Museum of Natural History, I am very honored to host this meaningful presentation by NASA Administrator O'Keefe to Mayor Bloomberg and Governor Pataki," said Museum President Futter. "The Museum shares a deep commitment to science education with the City, the State, and NASA, and today, with the return to New York of these precious items, we rededicate ourselves to our core mission of advancing science literacy and cultural understanding, in anticipation of a future filled with courage, resilience, and hope."

The American flag, damaged but intact, was pulled from the debris by members of the New York City Police Department and traveled nearly five million miles in space aboard the Space Shuttle Endeavor during STS-108 in December. The large flag, along with other commemorative badges, patches, and other items, was carried into space with nearly 6,000 smaller American flags that will be given to the victims' families in New York, Washington, D.C., and Pennsylvania. Frank Culbertson, who led the astronauts in presenting the flag, served as Expedition Three Commander on the International Space Station and was the only American not on the planet at the time of the terrorist attacks of September 11. The astronaut captured the first dramatic images from space of the fires at the World Trade Center shortly before the buildings collapsed.

The mission of NASA is to understand and protect our home planet, to explore the Universe and search for life, to inspire the next generation of explorers as only NASA. The new NASA vision for the future is to improve life here, to extend life to there, and to find life beyond.

The American Museum of Natural History is one of the world's premiere scientific educational and cultural institutions. Since its founding in 1869, the Museum has advanced its global mission to discover, interpret, and disseminate information about human cultures, the natural world, and the universe through an expansive program of scientific research, education, and exhibitions.

Additional information about NASA and the Space Shuttle and International Space Station programs and the Museum of Natural History is available on the Internet at: http://www.nasa.gov and http://www.amnh.org.

 

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