Chairman John C. Whitehead announced today the establishment of several Advisory Councils that will provide for public input and participation to the Lower Manhattan Development Corporation (LMDC). This new structure will consist of a general Advisory Committee comprised of government officials, business leaders and heads of major civic organizations. In addition a series of Advisory Councils will be established that will focus on the various issues associated with the revitalization and redevelopment of Lower
Manhattan.

John C. Whitehead, Chairman of the Lower Manhattan Development Corporation, said, "Seeking input from the all the various constituents in Lower Manhattan is an important part of the redevelopment and revitalization process. These Advisory Councils will provide an important vehicle for the public to participate in the revitalization of our great City. I look forward to working with the victims families, elected officials, residents and businesses and all the communities and neighborhoods in Lower Manhattan so that together we can rebuild and revitalize this important area in a way that we can all be proud."

"I have consistently sought opportunities to ensure sufficient resources are provided to meet the significant needs and challenges facing the victims of the World Trade Center attack and the residents and businesses of Lower Manhattan," Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver said. "These Councils will contribute to the vital work of marshaling as quickly as possible the assistance necessary to address issues ranging from ongoing public health concerns to economic revitalization and help to rekindle a bright and hopeful future for the people who live and work in Lower Manhattan's residential neighborhoods and business communities."

Senate Majority Leader Joseph L. Bruno said, "The recovery and
revitalization of Lower Manhattan is a major economic development priority not only for the City and the State, but for the entire nation. I, along with Senators John Marchi, Frank Padavan, Guy Velella and Serphin Maltese, look forward to participating in the LMDC Advisory Councils and giving our input on how Lower Manhattan can best be redeveloped."

Charles A. Gargano, Chairman of Empire State Development Corporation said, "Under the leadership of Governor Pataki, Mayor Giuliani and Mayor Bloomberg, New Yorkers have united like never before since September 11th. These Advisory Councils will allow us to build on our shared sense of unity and purpose and help New York City retain its designation as the capital of the world."

Deputy Mayor Doctoroff said, "The formation of these committees is an
important step in the process of reimagining Lower Manhattan. In the WTC recovery efforts, in which labor, the private sector and all levels of government have been working side-by-side, we've accomplished a level of cooperation and shared mission that only a few months ago seemed impossible. We look forward to the continued and rapid transformation of Lower Manhattan."

LMDC President Louis Tomson said, "Under Governor Pataki's leadership areas throughout our City and State have been renewed, redeveloped and revitalized. Whether it's the reclamation and revitalization of our waterfronts, such as Hudson River Park, or the cultural and economic renaissance of Times Square -- New York City will be better than ever. I look forward to working with Mayor Bloomberg and Deputy Mayor Doctoroff and continuing the wonderful partnership that has been created."

A general Advisory Committee comprised of federal, state, and city elected officials, business and civic leaders will be created. Each member of this Committee will be able to serve on any of the Advisory Councils on an ex-officio basis. The general Advisory Committee, chaired by John Whitehead, will include Speaker Sheldon Silver of the New York State Assembly; Majority Leader Joseph Bruno of the New York State Senate; Empire State Development Corporation Chairman Charles Gargano; Deputy Mayor Dan Doctoroff; Senate Minority Leader Martin Connor; Congressman Jerrold Nadler; City Council
Speaker Gifford Miller; Manhattan Borough President C. Virginia Fields;
Robert M. Morgenthau, Manhattan District Attorney; Robert Douglass,
Chairman, Downtown Alliance; Robert Catell, Chairman, New York City
Partnership; and Dennis Hughes, President, New York State AFL-CIO.

Today's announcement also includes the formation of four Advisory Councils that will provide valuable public input to the LMDC. At least two or more LMDC board members are charged with overseeing each of these Councils. They include the Families of September 11th Advisory Council, Residents Advisory Council, Restaurants, Retailers and Small Business Advisory Council, and the Arts, Education and Tourism Advisory Council. The LMDC will call upon on the members of these Advisory Councils to reach out within their constituencies to ensure that the broadest possible input is received.

The Families Advisory Council's main focus will be to listen and seek input from victims' families. The courage and bravery that these families have shown over the past several months are a true inspiration to all Americans. The input that these individuals and groups provide will be invaluable to the LMDC. The LMDC looks forward to working together with the members of the Advisory Councils, as well as other individuals and groups who have been affected by this terrible tragedy.

Retaining and attracting businesses and residents to locate in Lower
Manhattan are critical to economic renewal. The Residents Advisory Council will provide a forum for residents and members of the local community board to discuss concerns, such as quality of life issues, public safety and services including transportation, road opening closures, cleanup efforts and many others. The Restaurants, Retailers and Small Business Advisory Council will focus on issues and concerns of the small business community throughout Lower Manhattan.

Arts and cultural institutions generate economic activity, create a better
quality of life and can contribute greatly to the revitalization of an area.
Encouraging tourists and cultural enthusiasts to visit the theaters and the many museums in Lower Manhattan must be emphasized. The experience and expertise of the academic institutions also are a very important partner in the efforts to rebuild. The Arts, Education and Tourism Advisory Council will work with the various organizations and academic institutions to ensure their continued presence and examine ways to expand, promote and market the cultural assets of the area in Lower Manhattan.

Additional Advisory Councils focusing on transportation, development and financial firms/major corporations will be announced shortly. The Advisory Councils will make periodic recommendations to the LMDC Board. The Advisory Councils are as follows:

Families Advisory Council

LMDC Board Members: Lewis M. Eisenberg, Deborah C. Wright

-- Virginia Bauer, surviving spouse, Leading Victims' Advocate
-- Paula Grant Berry, Organized families of 67 victims of Keefe, Bruyette and Woods
-- Darlene Dwyer, Director, Windows of Hope
-- Jennie Farrell, Co-Founder, Give Your Voice
-- Christy Ferer, wife of Neil Levin
-- Marian Fontana, President, September 11th Widows' and Victims'
Families Association
-- Anthony Gardner, Chairman, WTC United Family Group
-- Monica Iken, Founder of September's Mission
-- Lee Ielpi, retired New York City Firefighter, father of fallen
firefighter Jonathan Ielpi
-- Ann Johnson, mother of victim
-- Anthoula Katsimantides, sister of victim
-- Carie Lemack, President, Families of September 11th
-- Kathleen Lynch Martens, sister of fallen Firefighter Michael F. Lynch,
Ladder 4
-- Maria McHugh, surviving spouse of Michael McHugh
-- Tom Roger, Vice-President, Families of September 11th
-- William Rodriguez, Founder of Hispanic Victims Group
-- Jim Smith of NYPD, and surviving spouse of fallen NYPD officer
-- Nikki Stern, Facilitator of families groups in New Jersey

Ex-Officio

-- His Eminence Edward Cardinal Egan, Archbishop of New York
-- Reverend Calvin O. Butts, III, D. Min., Pastor, The Abyssinian Baptist Church of the City of New York
-- His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios, Primate of the Greek Orthodox
Church in America
-- The Rt. Rev. Mark S. Sisk, Bishop of New York, The Episcopal Diocese of New York
-- Rabbi Joseph Potasnick, Chaplain, New York City Fire Department
-- Dr. Dan Matthews, Rector of St. Paul's and Trinity Church
-- Raymond W. Kelly, Commissioner, New York City Police Department
-- Nicholas Scoppetta, Commissioner, New York City Fire Department
-- Richard Sheirer, Director, New York City Office of Emergency
Management
-- Chief Joseph Morris, Port Authority New York/New Jersey Police
Department
-- James Gill, Chairman, Battery Park City Authority
-- William Hood, Managing Director for Corporate Affairs, American
Airlines
-- John Buscher, Director of Federal Affairs & East Region Public
Affairs, United Airlines

Residents Advisory Council

LMDC Board Members - Madelyn Wils, Paul A. Crotty

-- Tom Alghanayan of Rockrose, representing residential owners
-- Fanny Aragon, Lower East Side Resident
-- Liz Berger, Community Board Member, Community Board 1
-- Charlie Boillod, Battery Park City Resident
-- Lynne P. Brown, Vice President University Relations and Acting
Vice-President for Student Affairs, New York University
-- Gary Fagan, Community Board Member, Community Board 1, Founder of the Seaport Coalition
-- Sudhir Jain, President, Lower Manhattan Tenants Coalition
-- Richard Kennedy, Resident and Senior Director, Cushman & Wakefield
-- Michael Ketrin, Seaport Resident
-- Virginia Ky, Chinese American Planning Council
-- Don Lee, Community Board Member, Community Board 2
-- Tammy Meltzer, Battery Park City Resident
-- George Olsen, Tribeca resident and President, PS 234 PTA -- Nancy Owens, Tribeca, Community Board Member, Community Board 1
-- Linda Roche, Southbridge Housing Complex
-- Rebecca Skinner, Financial District Resident
-- Kristine Sui, Financial District Resident

Ex Officio

-- New York State Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver or his designee
-- State Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno or his designee
-- Charles Gargano, Chairman, Empire State Development Corporation
-- Deputy Mayor Dan Doctoroff, City of New York
-- James Kallstrom, Director, New York State Office of Public Security
-- Raymond W. Kelly, Commissioner, New York City Police Department
-- James Gill, Chairman, Battery Park City Authority
-- Dr. Antonio Novello, Commissioner, New York State Department of Health
-- Dr. Thomas Frieden, Commissioner, New York City Department of Health
-- Joseph A. Miele, Sr., Commissioner, New York City Department of
Environmental Protection
-- Erin Crotty, Commissioner, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
-- Richard Sheirer, Director, New York City Office of Emergency
Management
-- Assemblywoman Deborah Glick
-- Councilman Alan Gerson, City Council District 1
-- Carl Weisbrod, President, Downtown Alliance
-- Len Aubrey, President, NYU Downtown Hospital
-- Paul Elston, Chairman, New York State League of Conservation Voters

Restaurants, Retailers, & Small Business Advisory Council

LMDC Board Members - Roland W. Betts, Robert M. Harding

-- Mark Alesse, State Director, National Federation of Small Business,
New York Chapter
-- Albert Capsouto, Capsouto Freres, Tribeca
-- David Chen, Executive Director, Chinese American Planning Council
(Chinatown)
-- Richard L. Cohn, Proprietor, Southwest New York
-- Benjamin Fox, President, Newmark New Spectrum Retail
-- Rachelle Friedman, President, J & R Music and Computer World
-- Raymond Gindi, Chief Operating Officer, Century 21
-- Paul Harnett, Vice President and General Manager, South Street Seaport Marketplace
-- Paul Lee, Vice-President of the Chinese Consolidated Benevolent
Association, small business owner (Chinatown)
-- Julie Menin, President, Wall Street Rising, small business owner
(financial district)
-- Joel Moser, Attorney, Moser & Moser
-- Drew Nieporent, Owner of Tribeca Grill and several other restaurants
-- Harry Poulipakis, Proprietor, Harry's at Hanover Square
-- Ted Potrikus, Senior Vice-President, Retail Council of New York State
-- Edward Youkilis, Owner, Edward's Restaurant, Tribeca

Ex-Officio

-- New York State Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver or his designee
-- State Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno or his designee
-- Charles Gargano, Chairman, Empire State Development Corporation
-- Deputy Mayor Dan Doctoroff, City of New York
-- James Kallstrom, Director, New York State Office of Public Security
-- Raymond W. Kelly, Commissioner, New York City Police Department
-- Richard Sheirer, Director, New York City Office of Emergency
Management
-- Assemblywoman Deborah Glick
-- Councilman Alan Gerson, City Council District 1
-- Kathryn Wylde, President, New York City Partnership
-- Carl Weisbrod, President, Downtown Alliance

Arts, Education, and Tourism Advisory Council

LMDC Board Members - Howard Wilson, Madelyn Wils

-- Roger W. Borsink, Vice President, New York Market, Marriott
International, Inc
-- Randall Bourscheidt, President, Alliance for the Arts
-- David Caputo, President, Pace University
-- Kenneth Chenault, Chairman and CEO, American Express Company
-- Melissa Coley, Director, Arts & Cultural Program, World Financial
Center
-- Paula Gavin, President, YMCA
-- John Hayworth, Lower Manhattan Cultural Association
-- Ginny Loulourdes, Art NY
-- Francine LeFrak, President, LeFrak Productions
-- Earle Mack, Chairman, Arts Rebuild New York
-- David Marwell, Director, Museum of Jewish Heritage
-- Peter Neal, President, South Street Seaport Museum
-- Antonio Perez, Borough of Manhattan Community College
-- Lynn Rollins, President, The Museum of Women - The Leadership Center
-- John Sexton, President Designate, New York University
-- Steve Solberg, General Manager, Embassy Suites
-- Brian Thompson, Executive Director, Museum of American Financial
History
-- Liz Thompson, Director, Lower Manhattan Cultural Center
-- Manfred Timmell, General Manager, The Ritz Carlton
-- Jonathan Tisch, New York Rising Campaign

Ex-Officio

-- Charles Gargano, Chairman, Empire State Development Corporation
-- Deputy Mayor Dan Doctoroff, City of New York
-- Tim Zagat, Chairman, NYC & Co.
-- Cristyne Nicolas, President, NYC & Co.
-- Harold Levy, Chancellor, NYC Public Schools
-- Kent Barwick, President, Municipal Arts Society
-- Deborah Simon, Downtown Alliance
-- Shelley Harwayne, Superintendent, Community School District 2