Press Release Archives #073-01 - MAYOR GIULIANI WELCOMES THE RINGLING BROS. AND BARNUM & BAILEY CIRCUS BACK TO NEW YORK CITY

Archives of the Mayor's Press Office

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: Monday, March 19, 2001

Release #073-01

Contact: Sunny Mindel/Curt Ritter
(212) 788-2958

MAYOR GIULIANI WELCOMES THE RINGLING BROS. AND
BARNUM & BAILEY CIRCUS BACK TO NEW YORK CITY

Circus Will Donate 1,000 Tickets to the City's Administration for Children's Services and the Police Athletic League

Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani today welcomed Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus Ringmaster Michael Johnathan Lee Iverson and the entire circus troupe back to New York City, as they prepare to perform in their 131st Edition of the Circus at Madison Square Garden from March 30th through April 15th. In recognition of this historic event, the Mayor proclaimed March 30th through April 15th, Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Days in New York City.

Ringmaster Johnathan Lee Iverson presented Mayor Giuliani with 1,000 complimentary Circus tickets that will enable 500 foster children and 500 children involved with PAL to attend the circus this season. In addition, Ringmaster Iverson presented the Mayor with an official Ringmaster jacket, as well as a Lifetime Pass to the Circus, for his support of The Greatest Show On Earth over the past seven years.

"It is a tremendous joy to see the circus come back to town every year and bring sheer entertainment to young and old New Yorkers," said Mayor Giuliani. "I want to thank Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey for its wonderful show and its generous gift of 1,000 tickets that will bring the magic of the circus to many New York City children."

Ringmaster Iverson said, "I'm thrilled to be home again in New York City and honored to be at City Hall for this exciting event with Mayor Giuliani, a longtime friend of The Greatest Show On Earth. This special 'Command Performance' is packed with some of the finest talent ever to perform with Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus in its 131-year history. New Yorkers are in for a real treat!"

Administration for Children's Services (ACS) Commissioner Nicholas Scoppetta said, "The circus is one of the things that make childhood such a magical time. Thanks to the Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus, children in foster care will experience the antics of Bello the Clown, the elephants -- my personal favorite -- and other joys and thrills of the circus. It's an opportunity that many of them might not otherwise have. On behalf of all our kids who will soon enter the Big Top, I thank Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus for this generous gift."

Manhattan District Attorney and Chairman of the Police Athletic League Robert M. Morgenthau said, "I am very grateful to Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey and to the Mayor for making sure that so many of our PAL boys and girls will have the wonderful opportunity of going to the circus. The circus is an exciting experience for them, and I'm pleased that so many will be able to enjoy a day at the circus."

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