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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PR- 465-10
November 11, 2010

MAYOR BLOOMBERG APPOINTS TERRANCE C. HOLLIDAY AS COMMISSIONER OF MAYOR'S OFFICE OF VETERANS' AFFAIRS

Honors Bravery and Sacrifices of New York Veterans and Service Members at Veteran’s Day Breakfast Ceremony at Gracie Mansion

Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg today announced the appointment of Terrance C. Holliday as Commissioner of the Mayor's Office of Veterans' Affairs. The announcement was made at a Veterans Day breakfast at Gracie Mansion in honor of the bravery and sacrifices of veterans and members of the Armed Services. Holliday, a retired Colonel in the United States Air Force, will focus on expanding the City's outreach to veterans of all wars, including the new influx of veterans returning to New York from Iraq and Afghanistan and establishing partnerships to assist veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. The office advises the Mayor on issues affecting the veterans community and works to assist veterans and returning service members by connecting them with services and benefits at Federal, State and City agencies. Holliday will take over for outgoing Commissioner Roger Newman, who will be retiring after 25 years of City service. Following the breakfast, the Mayor marched in this year's Veterans Day Parade. The parade honors the New York City uniformed personnel and public servants who have served in the United States military, as well as the veterans community that provides assistance to the veterans of New York. The Mayor was joined at the breakfast by New York City veterans and service members including Veterans Day Parade Grand Marshal US Air Force General Raymond E. Johns, United States Army Chaplain Rabbi Jacob Goldstein, Mayor's Office of Veterans' Affairs Outgoing Commissioner Roger Newman and newly appointed Commissioner Terrance Holliday.

"On Veterans Day, we are reminded to thank the thousands of men and woman who have bravely stepped forward to defend our freedoms for nothing but the love of our nation," said Mayor Bloomberg. "We're proud of every one of our veterans - and determined to ensure they have the chance to lead healthy, fulfilling lives. Our administration has worked to help veterans find homes, jobs, and help with access to services. Roger Newman has been leading that charge and we thank him for his nearly three decades of service both to our country and our City. He has been a remarkable public servant, and he will be missed. We now welcome Terrance, whose management and communications experience will help us focus more than ever on innovative ideas that help us reach out to service members returning to New York to make our City their home."

"I look forward to working on behalf of the hundreds of thousands of veterans, national guardsmen, reservists, and active duty service members who call New York City their home," said Commissioner Holliday. "Ensuring that City government is able to reach out to all veterans in need of assistance and services will be my top priority and I thank Mayor Bloomberg for the opportunity to continue serving my fellow veterans."

"While New Yorkers can thank the men and women of our Armed Forces everyday, Veterans Day is a special day to honor the sacrifices of our military," said Commissioner Newman. "It has been an honor to serve the residents of New York City. Whether at the Department of Homeless Services, the Human Resources Administration or as the first Commissioner of the Mayor's Office of Veterans' Affairs, helping thousands of New Yorkers in need of City services has been one of my greatest achievements and I thank the Bloomberg Administration for its support."

Holliday is a veteran with 40 years of service as a member of the Air National Guard and the Air Force Reserves from which he retired with the rank of Colonel. He currently serves as the civilian Director of Public Affairs for the United States Air Force in New York where he helped create the first ever New York City Air Force Week in 2010 to educate New Yorkers about the role of airmen and the contributions of the US Air Force. He also served in the New Jersey Air National Guard where he coordinated public affairs and logistical support for global deployments during Operation Desert Shield. Outside his military service, Holliday served at Allstate Insurance Company as a Special Investigator. Holliday, a Bronx native, received a Master in Business Administration from the New York Institute of Technology, a Bachelor's degree from St. John's University and a certification from the Academy of Military Sciences.

Newman was appointed as the first Commissioner of the Office of Veterans' Affairs in 2007. Under his tenure, he helped coordinate and manage the execution of Executive Order 110 signed by Mayor Bloomberg to create the role of a veteran liaison at every City Agency to work with the Mayor's Office of Veterans' Affairs on addressing the needs of veterans they serve. Commissioner Newman helped establish partnerships with private and public organizations to provide employment and benefit assistance for veterans including a partnership with America Works and the City Bar Justice Center. His office also partnered with City agencies and the US Department of Veterans Affairs to form a comprehensive approach to reducing the number of homeless veterans and create support groups for female veterans. Commissioner Newman also served the City at the Department of Homeless Services and the Human Resources Administration.

The Mayor thanked Anthony Crowell, Counselor to the Mayor and Andrea Shapiro Davis, Special Advisor to the Mayor, for their efforts on the appointment search.

Currently, there are approximately 240,000 veterans and approximately 6,000 reservists, active duty and National Guard members living in the five boroughs. Since September 11, 2001, 88 New York City residents have lost their lives in Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Following the breakfast, the Mayor marched in this year's Veterans Day Parade, which honors the New York City uniformed personnel and public servants who have served in the United States military, as well as the veterans community that provides assistance to the veterans of New York. The theme for this year's parade is "Freedom is Not Free" and honors the 60th anniversary of the Korean War. Mayor Bloomberg also attended the Veterans Day wreath laying ceremony at the Eternal Light Monument in Madison Square Park, which commemorates the historic signing of the Armistice on November 11, 1918 that officially ended World War I. Mayor Bloomberg placed a wreath at the base of the monument, which was followed by a 21-gun salute and the playing of Taps. The ceremony honored veterans who gave their lives in support of the nation.







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