United Cerebral Palsy of New York City Honored Senator Bob Dole, the Men and Women of Con Edison and the Brooklyn Self-Advocates

NEW YORK, NY- On Monday, April 15, 2002, United Cerebral Palsy of New York City (UCP/NYC) honored Senator Bob Dole, the Men and Women of Con Edison, and the Brooklyn Self-Advocates at the organization's 47th Annual Awards Dinner. Eugene R. McGrath, Chairman and Chief Executive officer of Con Edison, accepted the award on behalf of his employees, and James Krisco and Robert Cantor accepted on behalf of the Brooklyn Self-Advocates.

Senator Dole received the 2002 Humanitarian Award for his many contributions to individuals in all walks of life, particularly those with disabilities. Among the Senator's many achievements in his long and honored career was the time and energy spent in securing passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act in 1990, the most far-reaching Civil Rights legislation ever affecting people with disabilities.

The Men and Women of Con Edison worked around the clock to restore power and services to thousands of New Yorkers and New York businesses in the aftermath of the September 11 terrorist attack. For their heroic efforts, UCP's Outstanding Community Service Award was presented to Mr. McGrath on their behalf.

UCP also honored the Brooklyn Self-Advocacy Group for their outstanding efforts in the past year. Senator Dole presented a Special Achievement Award to the advocacy group. The group identifies issues of concern and then follows-up with concrete action. This year, they forced a local store in Flatbush, Brooklyn, to remove illegal "No Wheelchairs Allowed" signs.

Meredith Vieira, Co-Host of ABC's The View, served as master of ceremonies, and Mary Wilson, the founding member of the Supremes, provided the musical entertainment for the evening. Ms. Wilson's voice was so moving that guests got out of their seats and began dancing.

UCP's Annual Awards Dinner is one of New York's longest running charity dinners. Five presidents starting with President Dwight D. Eisenhower and followed by Presidents Gerald Ford, Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan and Bill Clinton, have all been honored. Other notable honorees include Bob Hope, Rupert Murdoch, Rt. Honourable Margaret Thatcher, Dr. Henry Kissinger, H.R.H. Princess Diana, General Colin Powell, Barbara Walters and last year's honoree Muhammad Ali.

UCP is New York's premier disability organization serving more than 10,000 children and adults with disabilities and their families annually. The organization was founded in 1946 by a group of parents who were frustrated by the absence of community-based services for their sons and daughters. UCP/NYC is the largest service affiliate in a nationwide network of 110 voluntary organizations in 42 states.

The mission of UCP is to provide the highest quality services in health care, education, employment, housing, and technology resources that support people with cerebral palsy and related disabilities in leading independent and productive lives.