Nearly 1,300 members of the design, construction and real estate community gathered to honor Metropolitan Transportation Authority Chairman Peter S. Kalikow, Skanska AB President and CEO Stuart E. Graham and the coalition known as New York New Visions, during the New York Building Congress 83rd Anniversary Leadership Awards Luncheon, held at the Hilton New York on May 20.

Kalikow and Graham were presented with New York Building Congress Leadership Awards in recognition of their distinguished careers as well as their major contributions to the expansion of New York City's mass transit system.

In addition, the Building Congress bestowed the 2003 George A. Fox Public Service Award to New York New Visions, a coalition of architecture, planning, and design organizations that came together in a voluntary effort immediately following the September 11 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center. By pooling their collective resources and technical expertise, these New York based professionals and civic group leaders have helped chart the course for the planning and reconstruction of Lower Manhattan.

During his keynote remarks, New York Secretary of State Randy A. Daniels said of the New York building community, "We invented the skyscrapers. We built the great bridges and the subway system. We must return to that spirit of entrepreneurialism and yes, a little bit of arrogance.

I encourage you to dream big because, that is how we express our greatness. The people in this room can do this." Manhattan Borough President C. Virginia Fields echoed those sentiments, telling the assembled crowd, "We are all very happy that New York City is seeing bright signs of economic development. Our drawing boards are overflowing with plans for exciting developments throughout Manhattan. This is possible by all that you do."

Luncheon Chairman Mary Ann Tighe, who is CEO of the New York Tri-State Region for CB Richard Ellis, Inc., presented the Leadership Award to Peter Kalikow. "Peter makes it look so easy," Tighe said of his dual role as Chairman of the MTA and one of the City's top real estate developers. "He is leading the MTA in what is its most productive period in the last three decades, yet Peter is in touch with all facets of the Authority's operations."

In accepting the award, Kalikow commented, "One of the great things about the MTA is the 65,000 men and women who work there. Without their hard work, we would have a hard time serving our eight million daily riders. They are the ones who make it look easy." He added, "Governor Pataki had a vision for this area, and we are carrying through on this most ambitious expansion. The Governor has a special capacity to think big and think about the future. I share his vision, but without him, we'd have nothing."

Building Congress Chairman Frank J. Sciame presented the afternoon's second Leadership Award. “Stu Graham and Skanska were leaders in the team that built and is maintaining and operating the Air Train system to John F. Kennedy Airport. But it is important to emphasize that Stu's career has involved far more than that important project. He is considered one of the world's foremost builders."

Graham used his acceptance to applaud the organization honoring him, saying, "I want to thank Dick Anderson and the members of the board for your work on behalf of the real estate and construction industry. Your insight and attention to important issues are vital to the City."

The George A. Fox Public Service Award was presented by the co-chairs of the selection committee, Barnard College President Judith R. Shapiro and TheThornton-Tomasetti Group Co-Chairman Richard L. Tomasetti, P.E. Shapiro said, "Within months of the attacks, New York New Visions released a report offering a series of principles and recommendations. But in the more than two years since, it continues to contribute expertise to and cooperate with many other civic organizations working on the issues facing Lower Manhattan."

Hutton Associates founder Ernie Hutton, who helped accept the award on behalf of the coalition, remarked, "This is the story of dedicated individuals and how the whole became greater than the sum of its parts." He assured the audience that the unprecedented coalition is continuing with its mission, adding, "Our need for public advocacy is more important now than it was immediately after 9/11."

New York City Council Member Melinda Katz received a spirited ovation after singing the national anthem. The Executive Co-Chairman of the luncheon was Michael S.Della Rocca, President and C.O.O. of STV Group, Inc.