ldunbar@nul.org

Max Smith, 212-558-5319

msmith@nul.org

New York, NY, Nov. 13, 2001–National Urban League president Hugh B. Price announced today that the League will honor New York City Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani, Police Commissioner Bernard B. Kerik, Fire Commissioner Thomas Von Essen and Director of New York City Emergency Services Richard J. Scheirer during its 45^th annual Equal Opportunity Day (EOD) Awards Dinner this evening at New York City’s Pier Sixty, Chelsea Piers.

Mayor Giuliani will receive the League’s Humanitarian Award. Commissioners Kerik and Von Essen, and Director Scheirer will each receive the League’s Community Hero award.

The event begins with the President’s Reception at 6:00 PM, followed by the awards dinner at 7:15 PM. Press registration is complimentary, and ticket information is available by calling 212-838-2660, ext. 20.

"The purpose of this year’s Humanitarian Award and our Community Hero Awards are to express our gratitude and to acknowledge the tremendous leadership these city officials demonstrated during one of the most devastating crises ever faced by the city and the nation," Price said.

Proceeds from the League’s EOD Awards Dinner benefit the organization’s education, technology, economic self-sufficiency and racial inclusion initiatives. Office Depot is a presenting sponsor for the event, which includes the President’s Reception and Community Heroes Awards.

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Bruce Nelson, Chief Executive Office for Office Depot stated, "We are pleased to have the opportunity to participate in such a wonderful tribute to New York City’s ‘heroes.’ The September 11^th tragedy has touched so many people’s lives in numerous ways; and we are proud to sponsor this well deserved ‘Community Heroes Award’ that recognizes the bravery and strength displayed by our country’s police, fire and emergency management personnel each day and every day."

"We also want to thank the National Urban League for allowing us to be a part of this year’s EOD event, and applaud its dedication and commitment to the communities it serves so well."

Other honorees for the League’s 45^th Annual EOD Awards Dinner include Alexis Herman, Chairwoman of The Coca-Cola Company’s Diversity Task Force and former Secretary of the Department of Labor; Pamela Thomas Graham, President & CEO, CNBC Television and General Motors Corporation. Accepting for General Motors Corporation will be G. Richard Wagoner, Jr.

The organization is also inducting four major corporations–Enterprise Rent-A-Car, Kraft Foods, Microsoft Corporation and Texaco, Inc.–into its Million Dollar Hall of Fame. Traditionally, funds donated by Million Dollar Hall of Fame honorees go towards furthering the League’s initiatives in the areas of education, technology, economic self-sufficiency and racial inclusion, as well as supporting general League operations.

Robert Benmosche, Chairman and Chief Operating Officer, MetLife, Inc. is this year’s Dinner Chairman. Award-winning singer-actress Melba Moore will provide the evening’s entertainment, and actress S. Epatha Merkerson, from NBC’s "Law & Order," will emcee.

The Urban League is the nation’s oldest and largest community-based movement devoted to empowering African Americans to enter the economic and social mainstream. The National Urban League, headquartered in New York City, spearheads the nonprofit, nonpartisan movement, while Urban League affiliates operate in more than 100 cities in 34 states and the District of Columbia.