“As head of Empire State Development and a close advisor to Governor Pataki, Chairman Gargano has made his mark on the State of New York in myriad ways,” said DMJM+Harris President and CEO John M. Dionisio, who served as Luncheon Chairman. “For the Building Congress, he has been a staunch ally and willing participant in many activities. He has been there for our industry from the start, never forgetting his roots, and always supporting jobs and economic growth for New York.”
Chairman Gargano noted that past Building Congress events have been venues where “the Governor and I have had a chance to announce a number of important initiatives,” including MasterLinks, Queens West and 42nd Street, as well as the new Penn Station and the ongoing Harlem renaissance. “We asked you to build projects worthy of New York City and you gave us Times Square, AOL and the Westside Highway. I cannot think of better symbols of our accomplishments than your work. You were and continue to be our partners.”
Looking toward Lower Manhattan, Chairman Gargano continued, “Together we have an opportunity to put our stamp on the greatest city in the world. This will define our legacy.” He then implored the building industry to ensure that Freedom Tower is topped off by 2006 and that the planned transit hub is approached with the same tenacity as was demonstrated during the successful reconstruction of vital mass transit lines near the World Trade Center site.

In presenting a Leadership Award to John Zuccotti, Building Congress Chairman Marilyn Jordan Taylor remarked, “He is one of the few people who have been able to achieve equal success in both government and business. And he has done so at the highest levels of New York City affairs. Now, John Zuccotti is leading efforts among the business community to revitalize Lower Manhattan, especially through improvements in transportation access. He wears many hats and they all seem to fit exceptionally well.” Zuccotti accepted his Leadership Award on behalf of Brookfield Properties, whose workers, he said, cannot ever forget what they witnessed on 9/11, and as a result are committed to Lower Manhattan’s rebirth. Zuccotti, who praised the efforts of City, State and Federal officials, singled out Governor Pataki for his recent speech on Lower Manhattan. “I never heard a politician make as strong and unwavering a commitment as did the Governor,” in laying out his vision and timeframe for a successful revitalization. He then praised the building industry for its role, saying, “The people in this room will see to that success.”

In addition, the Building Congress bestowed the 2003 George A. Fox Public Service Award upon Preston Robert Tisch, Anthony C. M. Kiser and Richard Kahan, Co-Founders of Take the Field, Inc., a partnership to rebuild and restore the City’s public school athletic facilities.

The Building Congress is awarding $5,000 in scholarships to the ACE Mentor Program in the gentlemen’s names. “In its first 30 months of operation, Take the Field has rebuilt 26 athletic fields, with seven additional fields slated for construction this spring,” said Gerard A. Neumann Jr., C.O.O. of Spearin, Preston & Burrows, Inc. and Co-Chairman of the George A. Fox Award Selection Committee. “Each of the Co-Founders are involved in other
businesses, charitable and civic efforts. Today, we are recognizing their long-time accomplishments in many other endeavors, as well as with Take the Field.”

Mr. Tisch accepted the award on behalf of his co-honorees. “The construction of these facilities for use by the City’s high school students is the most important work any of us here have ever done. While we have raised over $90 million from the private sector, it’s safe to say that we couldn’t have done it without your industry.”

Cauldwell Wingate Company, LLC President and CEO Susan L. Hayes served
as Executive Co-Chairman of the event, which was one of the most successful
in the history of the Building Congress.