Contact: Colleen Roche (212) 788-2958
Curt Ritter (212) 788-2971
"I take great pleasure in welcoming Miss New York State, Deana Herrera, and her family to City Hall today," Mayor Giuliani said. "All New Yorkers should be proud that Deana, who comes from Staten Island, will represent our State in the Miss America Pageant later this year. Not only is she the first Cuban-American to win the State title, but she has also dedicated herself to educating the public about juvenile diabetes. As a spokesperson for our State, her efforts on behalf of this sometimes deadly disease is admirable because she has the potential to make a real difference in heightening diabetes awareness nationwide. I know all New Yorkers will join me in wishing Deana the best of luck in the upcoming Miss America Pageant."
Ms. Herrera recently teamed up with Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center's Naomi Berrie Diabetes Center, a family-oriented research and treatment facility, in an effort to comfort young children suffering from diabetes. Today, she presented the Mayor with Rufus, an educational teddy bear that helps children with diabetes identify blood test sites and locations for insulin shots.
"I am thrilled and honored to be at City Hall to meet Mayor Giuliani," said Ms. Herrera. "I hope that this meeting is an inspiration for all children and their families living with juvenile diabetes. I would like to thank the Mayor for recognizing the seriousness of diabetes and I hope that our efforts encourage all New Yorkers to work for the cause."
Dr. Robin Goland, Director of the Naomi Berrie Diabetes Center, said, "I want to thank Mayor Giuliani for recognizing Deana's achievements and her commitment to the important cause of diabetes. Everyone at the Naomi Berrie Diabetes Center is very excited about working with Deana to increase the knowledge of all New Yorkers about this very common and potentially deadly disease."
Ms. Herrera is 20 years old and will be entering her senior year at Wagner College in Staten Island in the Fall. She hopes to go to law school and aspires to be a children's talent agent or casting director. As Miss Staten Island, she competed against 17 other contestants in four different categories - personal interview, swimsuit, on-stage personality, evening wear, and talent - to win the New York State title on June 28, 1998.
The Mayor and Ms. Herrera were joined at today's press conference by Gustavo and Zolita Herrera, Deana's parents; her sisters, Christina and Alyssa; Dr. Robin Goland, Director of the Naomi Berrie Diabetes Center; Russ Berrie, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Russ Berrie and Company; and James Thompson, Director of Field Operations for the Miss New York State Organization.