MAYOR GIULIANI JOINS GENERAL COLIN POWELL AND JANET JACKSON TO ANNOUNCE THAT JACKSON'S NORTH AMERICAN CONCERT TOUR WILL BENEFIT AMERICA'S PROMISE - THE ALLIANCE FOR YOUTH
Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani today welcomed General Colin L. Powell, USA (Ret.) and Janet Jackson to City Hall to announce that part of the proceeds Ms. Jackson's upcoming concert tour will benefit America's Promise - The Alliance for Youth. Chaired by General Powell, America's Promise - The Alliance for Youth is a national not4or-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of more than 15 million youths at risk in America.
In addition, Jeff Bewkes, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Home Box Office (HBO), announced that Ms. Jackson's upcoming tour will culminate with a live HBO telecast of her October 11th concert at historic Madison Square Garden.
"lt's a pleasure for me to welcome Janet Jackson and General Powell to City Hall," said Mayor Giuliani. "Ms. Jackson and General Powell have both made history in their respective fields. More importantly, they are making impressive humanitarian contributions to the world at large, and specifically to children in need. I'm happy to announce that Ms. Jackson is lending a hand to help America's Promise, an organization led by General Powell dedicated to helping millions of at-risk children through mentoring.
"The goal of America's Promise is to encourage Americans and corporations to get involved," the Mayor continued. "Ms. Jackson will help spread the word that there is something that every American can do to help our at-risk young people. I want to thank her for her assistance and General Powell for his ongoing dedication to helping America's children," the Mayor concluded.
Ms. Jackson unveiled dates for "The Velvet Rope Tour," her first tour since her sold-out "Janet" tour in 1993. The North American tour will begin July 9th in Washington, DC and will continue throughout North America showcasing material from her multi-platinum album The Velvet Rope Ms. Jackson acknowledged at today's press conference her support for America's Promise by announcing that a portion of the proceeds from her upcoming tour will be donated to the organization and earmarked for direct use in children's mentoring programs throughout the United States.
"The goal of America's Promise is close to my heart - to provide love and nourishment to millions of kids in need," said Ms. Jackson. "The program provides help the quickest way -- through grass-roots volunteerism backed by companies with the muscle to make an immediate difference."
Reports indicate that when at-risk youths have a meaningful relationship with an older adult mentor they are 46 percent less likely to begin using illegal drugs, 27 percent less likely to begin using alcohol and 53 percent less likely to skip school. A 1989 study showed that 59 percent of students with mentors improved their grades, and 73 percent of these students said their mentors helped raise their goals and expectations.
"As Chairman of America's Promise, I am honored to have Ms. Jackson's passion and leadership dedicated to improving the lives of our nation's more than 15 million at-risk youth," said General Powell, Chairman of America's Promise - The Alliance for Youth. "Ms. Jackson's commitment is a perfect example of how someone can not only devote their financial resources, but also their time and talent to amplify the importance of our mission to her millions of fans throughout the United States."
America's Promise aims to provide at-risk youths in America access to the fundamental resources needed in order for them to lead happy, healthy and productive lives. The organization was founded in Philadelphia at the President's Summit for America's Future. In conjunction with her HBO special, Jackson will appear in a public service announcement promoting America's Promise.
"Janet Jackson is a dynamic, exciting talent," said Jeff Bewkes, Chairman and CEO of HBO "I'm delighted that HBO subscribers will be able to see her perform live from the Garden in October on HBO."
HBO and parent company Time Warner have a strong commitment to mentoring. In November the two companies joined forces with America's Promise to launch a nationwide public service campaign to promote and increase the volunteer ranks of mentoring organizations across America. Seven public service announcements were created by HBO and can be currently seen on television networks and cable systems nationwide.
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