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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 28, 2003
PR- 084-03
www.nyc.gov


REPUBLICAN NATIONAL LEADER LEWIS M. EISENBERG TO HEAD NEW YORK’S PREPARATIONS FOR THE 2004 REPUBLICAN NATIONAL CONVENTION

Eisenberg To Lead New York’s Host Committee Efforts – Leaves as RNC Finance Chair

Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg today appointed Lewis M. Eisenberg as New York City Host Committee Co-Chair for the 2004 Republican Convention.  Eisenberg, who led the fundraising efforts for the Republican Party, has agreed to step down from his high-profile post to lead New York City’s preparations for the 2004 Republican National Convention.

Eisenberg has served as Chairman of the Republican National Finance Committee in Washington, D.C. since January 2002, raising crucial dollars for Republican candidates across the country.  During the last year, Eisenberg helped raise $135.3 million for the Republican Party.  In New York, Eisenberg will oversee all planning and fundraising efforts for the 2004 Convention. 

“From the minute we landed the Convention, there was one and only one clear choice in my mind to head our efforts: Lew Eisenberg,” said Mayor Bloomberg. “Everyone said we’d never be able convince him to step down from such an important national post, but we made a compelling case, and we got our man.  Lew has the established track record and connections to ensure the success of the Convention at the national level, and his presence will energize our efforts to showcase New York City the most exciting and diverse place in the world.”

“It has been a great pleasure to serve the President in my role as Chairman of the Republican National Finance Committee,” said Mr. Eisenberg. “His leadership led to historic Republican gains in the 2002 election and has been an inspiration for our candidates, volunteers, and the American people.  It was an honor for all of us who are part of the President’s team. I look forward to this new and exciting challenge. With the leadership of Mayor Bloomberg, Governor Pataki, and our Chairman former Mayor Giuliani, I have no doubt the Republican Convention will allow the eyes of the world to see New York City at its very best and provide the perfect backdrop for the official kick-off of the 2004 general election.”

Prior to his appointment, Eisenberg co-founded the Team 100 program for the committee in 1998.  Most recently, Eisenberg chaired the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey where he led the agency through the September 11th tragedy.  He was an original appointee to the New York’s Lower Manhattan Redevelopment Authority, which will spearhead the rebuilding effort. Eisenberg graduated from Dartmouth College in 1964 and earned an MBA from Cornell University in 1966. Mr. Eisenberg and his wife Judy are the parents of three daughters and eight grandchildren.

Joining Mr. Eisenberg will be Mark L. Miller as Deputy Co-Chair; both will work closely with NYC Host Committee Chairman former Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani. Prior to his appointment, Miller served as Deputy Finance Chair to Mr. Eisenberg.  Prior to that, Miller was Executive Director of the Republican Leadership Council, National Director of Victory ‘96, and he served Finance Director for Republican candidates across the nation.

The 2004 Republican National Convention is the first time in Republican Party history that New York City will serve as convention host. The Convention, which will take place August 30th - September 2nd, 2004, in Madison Square Garden, is expected to generate over $150 million in economic activity and put New York City firmly at the center of the world’s stage. Nearly 50,000 people are expected to attend the Convention including over 15,000 members of the media. New York City secured the convention through a number of innovative measures including submitting the only bid to the RNC that was entirely privately financed and with no publicly appropriated funds. The Host Committee’s budget totals $91 million; the Federal Election Commission provides some public financing for the Presidential conventions, generally in the range of $10-$15 million per convention.


 

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Contact: Ed Skyler / Jordan Barowitz  
(212) 788-2958