Governor: Free College For World Trade Center Victim Families

Scholarships to Surviving Family Members Means Free Education at SUNY or CUNY

Governor George E. Pataki has announced he will submit legislation guaranteeing a college education to all of the families of those killed or seriously and permanently disabled in the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center at all SUNY and CUNY schools, or an equivalent amount of aid for students who attend private colleges in New York State. The Governor will also direct the Board of Trustees at SUNY and CUNY to implement the policy immediately.

The Governor's "World Trade Center Memorial Scholarship" legislation would also expand an existing program that guarantees a college education for the families of fallen police and firefighters by extending that same benefit to Emergency Medical Services workers who are killed on the job, whether in the WTC attack or elsewhere. The initiative also expands the benefits available to police and firefighters, as well as EMS workers, who are seriously and permanently disabled in the ongoing WTC rescue and recovery efforts.

"We have pledged to stand with the families of those killed by last week's outrageous and cowardly attacks on the World Trade Center, and today we take a small but important step to keep that pledge," Governor Pataki said. "These families should not have to worry about how they are going to pay for college, and with this measure, they will never have to. This commitment which will cover those who may be seriously injured in the difficult and dangerous work still ahead will ensure that the families of our heroes will receive our support not only today, but in five, ten, or 20 years, when they are ready to attend college."

New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani said, "Governor Pataki and I will continue to stand with the victims of this terrible act, not only now, but well into the future. The families of our heroes the brave men and women of our Police Department, Fire Department and EMS will take great comfort in knowing that their children will never have to worry about paying for college."

Under the proposal, the State would pay the cost of attendance at any State University of New York or City University of New York institution for the children and spouses of victims, or provide them an equivalent amount to attend a private college or university located in New York State.

Senate Majority Leader Joseph L. Bruno said, "Our focus right now is on what we can do to help the families of the victims of the terrorist attacks as they face the very difficult task of trying to move forward with their lives. Providing a higher education for your children is a big responsibility for a parent. The Senate is very supportive of the Governor's plan for free education at SUNY and CUNY for the families of the victims and we will continue to look for other ways that the State can provide support and assistance."

Senator Kenneth P. LaValle, Chairman of the Senate Higher Education Committee said, "It is important for New York to show tangible support for citizens who lost their lives in last week's tragic events. The families of these victims should be able to complete their higher education as a legacy to those whose lives ended too soon."

Robert A. McCracken, NYC Chief of EMS Operations said, "Recognizing the bravery of our personnel in this way is truly a gift that will provide peace of mind to the families of our fallen."

CSEA President Danny Donohue said, "The many families of the State workers who were lost in this terrible tragedy can take some measure of comfort in the knowledge that the costs of a college education for children and spouses will be covered. We strongly support this measure and encourage its prompt passage."

The program is modeled after the Memorial Scholarships for Families of Deceased Police Officers, Peace Officers, and Firefighters, which provide similar college scholarships for family members of police officers and firefighters who are lost in the line of duty.

The Governor's proposal would cover the cost of items such as tuition, room and board, fees, books, supplies and transportation. The benefit would be available for four years of full-time undergraduate study (or five years for certain five year baccalaureate programs).

The current average cost of attendance at a SUNY four- year college is nearly $12,000 per year, including tuition, room & board, fees, books, supplies and transportation. At today's costs, the new scholarship would be valued at more than $47,500 for four years of study.

The Governor's initiative would be available to the children and surviving spouses of the innocent victims who perished or were seriously and permanently disabled in the horrific World Trade Center terrorist attack, including those victims who lived out-of-state, many from New Jersey and Connecticut, or those who were residents of other countries. Also, the new program would be available to the children and spouses of any innocent victim who perished in the other September 11th terrorist attacks, including the attack on the Pentagon and the crash of United Flight 93 in Pennsylvania.

CUNY Chancellor Dr. Matthew Goldstein said, "Governor Pataki has demonstrated exemplary leadership during this critical period on behalf of all New Yorkers and is an example for all Americans. By providing a special program of higher education tuition assistance for the children and families of those who perished in last week's terrorist attack, the Governor has sent a message of hope and opportunity. The City University of New York has historically served as the principal ladder to success for the workforce of our great City. We are deeply honored to participate in an extraordinary initiative that will greatly assist grieving families in planning for the future."

SUNY Chancellor Robert L. King said, "Governor Pataki's effective leadership at this time of crisis is an example for all Americans to follow. I completely support the Governor's call to provide the children of the victims of this terrible attack with the means to obtain a college education at the State University of New York. We are honored to be able to help the families of innocent New Yorkers whose lives have been needlessly cut short."

Johanna Flanigan, Chairwoman of the State Emergency Medical Services Council, said, "I couldn't think of a more fitting or appropriate memorial to those emergency workers who gave the supreme sacrifice last week at the World Trade Center. I want to thank the Governor for his overwhelming support to all the emergency service workers in this tragic event."

Mark Henry, M.D., Chairman of the State Emergency Medical Advisory Council said, "New York's EMS community is profoundly saddened by loss of lives at the World Trade Center. We especially grieve for our friends and comrades at EMS, the fire department and the police department who died in service to others. It is not yet possible to feel the entire grief for so many who have given the ultimate sacrifice. We keep their families in our prayers. We commend Governor Pataki for this gift of education for the children, and we hope that it fulfills the dreams of their parents and serves as a remembrance."

Fordham University President Joseph A. O'Hare said, "This important initiative of Governor Pataki on behalf of the survivors of the victims of the World Trade Center tragedy constitutes an investment in the future of our State and its most important resource, our people. As we struggle to come to terms with the monstrous evil that has exploded in our midst, providing tuition assistance to the children and spouses of the fallen, sends a message that we will not only rebuild our shattered City, but also help rebuild the future of those families who have suffered such sudden reversals and such heart-wrenching losses. Fordham University, which counts among the casualties so many of its sons and daughters, is committed to working with our public leaders in the task of restoring and rebuilding the future of our City, our State and our people."

The Governor's legislation would become effective immediately and be in effect for the current 2001-02 academic year. The initiative would be administered by the Higher Education Services Corporation (HESC).

sorry if repost, i did try to search.
"the new scholarship would be valued at more than $47,500 for four years of study.
What's the latest missing+dead+severaly wounded count at? don't forget this is the dollar amount now, and of course college will cost a lot more in the future as costs rise. this is a lot of money
I don't know how I really feel about it. i think i'm against it though. It's a nice gesture, but I don't know if I should have to pay for this. Isn't this what life insurance is for? Plus an accidental clause usually nets at least 10x your insured value if they had insurance. if not, we're liable because they work in our state. what about children of parents who weren't legal citizens. senator joe supports this as well, and i'm sure the house dems do too.

My dear brother and sister FReepers,

At this, of all times in my lifetime, I would like nothing more than to be able to read these threads and reply to them. I have much I would like to say.

BUT, I cannot!

Why?

Because I am trying hard to raise the finances needed to keep FreeRepublic up and running so that we can continue to share valuable information and respond to it.

I beg you, if you have not yet donated to FreeRepublic this quarter, do so now!

If you have already donated, THANK YOU VERY MUCH AND GOD BLESS YOU, please ping your friends, and FReep on...!

I realize you are giving to lots of Relief efforts and I encourage you to do so. But we need to help FR too. Where would we be right now without it?

If you have no money, please come and bump the Fundraiser Thread.

I would really like to reach our goal quickly so that I and the rest of the dedicated FReepers who are working the Fundraiser Threads can participate in what is undeniably the most important time in FreeRepublic's history.

WHERE WOULD YOU GET YOUR NEWS FROM IF FREEREPUBLIC WASN'T HERE?<--click here

Support FreeRepublic! Support the U.S.A. <--click here

The $12,000 figure includes not only tuition, but room and board, books, supplies, and transportation. The actual tuition is only a few thousand. Some of these SUNY schools are top-rate (Geneseo, Binghamton), and a fraction of the cost of private schools. I would have no problem with my taxpayer dollars going towards paying the tuition, but it's not fair to children whose parents are victims of random violence. If a man is shot dead while walking the family dog, do his children get free tuition?

I don't like this PARTICULAR idea. Many victims undoubtedly had prepared for an accident or tragedy and the families, financially at least, will be ok. This idea also buys into the idea that a 4 year college degree is the ticket to a good life these days, and that just isn't necessarily so. We still need machinists, mechanics, and other skilled workers who gain their skill outstide of a college campus.

My idea? If the state feels it needs to present some sort of monetary or financial benefit to the victims, establish a trust fund. Individuals can apply for resources and the trustees can evaluate and award accordingly.

Good points. You are right about $12,000/year including room&board, etc but it looks like the proposal will cover all that. ny already offers scholarships to residents (TAP) unless that has been discountinued.
I could go along with paying killed rescue worker families as they are sacrificing a lot. It is part of the job, and i don't know if they are discriminated against in life insurance quotes since they are in a hazardous occupation.

This has got to stop at some point... $40Billion for NYC rebuilding... Airline bailout coming... Now free college for victim's families???

Government handouts are not the way to help people get through this.

I guess like most liberal plans, if I'm against this I don't care about the victims.

I hope this is being funded at the state level, New York and not the federal level. These freebies weren't offered to the Oklahoma City children and I don't believe it should be offered here. While I have sympathy and compassion for all who suffered a loss or injury but by golly I've had family memebers die inother situations and we simply stood together and worked it out as a family. Here we have government playing mom and dad again saving for the education at tax payer expense. This is not right.

It is state funded, thankfully for all you non - New Yorkers out there. Of course federal money is flowing into NY as well so you still get yours ;)

NY will pay for any person killed or seriously injured in ANY terrorist attack on Sept 11 including those at the Pentagon and the PA. plane crash regardless on what state or country they are from. Cha Ching!

I think the logic behind it is that the victims are no longer able to provide college education for their kids. Doesn't make it right, though... if a private foundation were doing this it would be laudable.

Then again, there's so much state aid going to colleges already. They can surely take some money out of the "Left-handed Latina Girls Majoring in Psychology or Music" scholarship, perhaps?

There have been 85,000 layoffs in the past week and many more to come, it is completely up to New York if it wants to do this BUT I don't want to see federal dollars expended for it. I support the federal 20 billion aid package but that is it. It appears that many of the loses are going to be covered by insurance and there are many thousands each year that die and the insurance and pension benefits are what the families have to live on. This situation is somewhat analogous to the family member that is grief stricken and is made prey to the funeral home that pressures the family into the most expensive funeral arraignments.

I agree. Not being a New Yorker, I won't say too much about this, but it does amaze me how generous our governments seem to be in this instance. With tax money, that is.

Please correct me if I'm wrong, but weren't these Trade Center jobs pretty high-dollar? I can understand helping out the families of firemen and policemen, public employees, with scholarships, but the children of millionaire financiers?

I support the federal 20 billion aid package but that is it.

I don't.

Someone on FreeRepublic said it best: The federal government has robbed the American people of a chance to show their generosity and charity.

It is NOT the government's job (federal, state, or local) to take money from its citizens and redistribute as it sees fit.

I am heartbroken over this tragedy and have contributed and will continue to contribute in ways that I can. However, it doesn't change the fact that the government should not be a money-redistribution machine.

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.