Contact: Colleen Roche (212) 788-2958
Dwight Williams (212) 788-2972
Joining the Mayor and Chairman Fisk at tonight's ceremony were Dick Wilson, Atlantic Legal Foundation Science and Technology Council Member and Harvard University Mallinckrodt Professor of Physics; Frederick Seitz, Rockefeller University President Emeritus; Edwin L. Lewis, Atlantic Legal Foundation President and Walter Wriston, former Chairman of Citibank Corporation.
"It is a great honor to join you here tonight to receive the 1998 Atlantic Legal Foundation Award," Mayor Giuliani said. "Since it was first established in 1976, the Atlantic Legal Foundation has earned the esteem of the people of New York because of what it has done to challenge burdensome governmental regulations and promote free enterprise. The principles of the Atlantic Legal Foundation are the same principles that have been behind New York City's comeback over the last five years.
"After losing 320,000 jobs between 1990 and 1993, over the last four years the City has gained 239,000 private sector jobs and counting -- the highest job growth rate in any four year period in the history of the City," the Mayor continued. "New York City has embraced a new philosophy of economic growth and community development. We have created an environment that fosters business growth and lets people take control of their own lives by reducing taxes, lowering the welfare rolls to a 30 year-low and lowering crime to record levels.
"I want to thank all of you here tonight because we could not make the effective changes without strong leadership in New York City like the Atlantic Legal Foundation. Thank you for all of the work you do to continue to safeguard the principles that have made New York City the Capital of the World," the Mayor concluded.
In presenting the award, Atlantic Legal Foundation Chairman Fisk said, "The Foundation is pleased to honor Mayor Giuliani, a leader committed to public service and private enterprise. Mayor Giuliani has implemented many of the ideals that the Atlantic Legal Foundation fights for in the courts."
Mayor Giuliani is the first New York City Mayor to receive the prestigious Atlantic Legal Foundation Award since it was established in 1988. Previous award recipients include Walter Wriston, former Chairman of Citibank, Steve Forbes, President and CEO of Forbes, Inc. and Editor in Chief of Forbes Magazine, Alfred DeCrane, former Chairman and CEO of Texaco, Bruce Atwater, former CEO of General Mills and Donald Rumsfeld, former United States Secretary of Defense.
Founded in 1976, the Atlantic Legal Foundation is a public interest group that supports the principles of the free market system, limited government regulations and the fundamental rights of individuals in State and Federal courts. It aims to keep courtrooms free from biased decisions and promotes the timely resolution of legal disputes. Since its inception, Atlantic Legal Foundation has represented individuals, corporations, trade and industry associations, chambers of commerce and other similar organizations on a pro bono basis. The Foundation focuses on issues affecting the mid-Atlantic region and is committed to advancing economic and individual freedoms by making government more accountable and less burdensome.