The Lower Manhattan Development Corporation today released a draft mission statement and program for the creation of a memorial at the World Trade Center site.  The mission statement guides the creation and evolution of the memorial, while the program provides specific elements to be included within the memorial, without prescribing how they should be incorporated or inhibiting creativity. 
 
The drafts were developed by two separate committees, convened by the LMDC and comprised of family members, residents, survivors, first responders, arts and architecture professionals and community leaders. The committees premised their work on an initial memorial mission statement and program developed by the LMDC Families Advisory Council, along with the extensive public comment it generated.  The draft mission statement and program will be subject to public comment until February 2, and when finalized, incorporated into guidelines for an international memorial competition in Spring 2003.
 
Governor George E. Pataki said, "Today, committees of dedicated volunteers, including many family members of September 11 heroes, released a mission statement and program that will serve as the guiding principles for the design of an appropriate memorial. These principles recognize that as September 11 united our nation in tragedy, the memorial must properly honor each individual killed on September 11 in New York, as well as in our nation's capital and in Pennsylvania."
 
LMDC Chairman John C. Whitehead said, "There has been unprecedented world-wide interest in creating an appropriate and beautiful memorial for the victims of the World Trade Center tragedy.  Carefully developed by independent committees with public comment, the draft mission statement and program, when finalized, will be very helpful guidelines to everyone wishing to participate in the international competition."
 
LMDC President Lou Tomson said, "Creating an appropriate and fitting memorial depends on building a strong foundation for the work ahead. The mission and program committees volunteered countless hours of their time to establish that foundation. On behalf of the LMDC, I thank them for performing this important public service. And I'm confident the spirit of collaboration that prevailed in this process will continue until we honor our pledge to remember those we lost."  
 
 
The LMDC is accepting public comment on the draft mission statement and program through LMDC's website, www.renewnyc.org, regular mail, and through an unprecedented public meeting.  On Monday, January 13 and Tuesday, January 14, the LMDC will hold public meetings on the future of the World Trade Center site. The meetings will be held at Pace University from 6pm to 11pm and linked through simulcast to locations in all five boroughs and Long Island. The meeting on Monday will focus on the nine proposals for the World Trade Center site, and the meeting on Tuesday, January 14 will focus on the draft memorial and mission statement.
 
Attached is the draft memorial mission statement and draft memorial program, including statements from both committees, and a list of the committee members.