Senate Transportation Chairman Ceasar Trunzo and Rewards for Justice Fund to Put New York Motorists in Drivers' Seat in War Against Terrorism
Asset Caption: NY license plate to support war on terror. Proceeds from proposed "United We Stand" plate will benefit The Rewards for Justice Fund (www.rewardsfund.org), a non-profit anti-terrorism organization.
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ALBANY, N.Y.--March 5, 2002--
The Rewards for Justice Fund (www.RewardsFund.org) A Non-Profit
Anti-Terrorism Organization
Connecticut-based Non-Profit Assists U.S. State Department
New York motorists may soon be able to help drive out terrorists every time they drive across town, thanks to legislation being acted upon today by the New York State Senate Transportation Committee.
Legislation sponsored by Transportation Committee chairman Senator Caesar Trunzo (R-3rd district) authorizes the creation of a new United We Stand specialty license plate, the proceeds of which will benefit the Rewards for Justice Fund, a non-profit organization that raises funds for one of the U.S. government's most effective anti-terrorist programs, the Rewards for Justice Program.
The program, which is administered by the U.S. Department of State, has been highly successful in using reward payments to entice individuals with knowledge of terrorist plans and locations into revealing what they know. Since its establishment in 1984, the Rewards for Justice Program has played a key role in the apprehension of dozens of terrorists around the world, including Ramzi Ahmed Yousef, who is now behind bars for his role in the 1993 bombing of the World Trade Center. The bill being acted upon today will generate additional reward funds for the Rewards for Justice Program through the sale of the new United We Stand plates.
During a meeting today of the Senate Transportation Committee, Senator Trunzo said, "Since September 11th, millions of New Yorkers have shown their patriotism by flying the American flag from their cars and trucks. This bill will shift patriotism into overdrive by allowing New Yorkers to turn their license plates into weapons in the war on terrorism."
The bill will allow the state's motorists to obtain a United We Stand license plate by paying $25 (twenty-five dollars) above the normal New York vehicle registration fee. The measure mandates that 100 percent of the proceeds raised from each $25 in additional registration payments will go to the Rewards for Justice Fund (www.RewardsFund.org). The Fund, in turn, will give 100% of the dollars it raises from members of the public to the U.S. State Department's Rewards for Justice Program. The State Department program will use those dollars as a supplement to the federal funds that are paid to obtain information on terrorist plans and locations.
During today's Senate Transportation Committee action, Senator Trunzo called upon his fellow legislators to help assure swift passage of the bill saying, "Passage of this bill will allow every New York motorist to personally send an unmistakable message to terrorists that New Yorkers will do any and everything possible to root out terrorists and bring them to justice."
"New York motorists want to know what they can do to contribute to the war against terrorists," said Scott Case, Chairman and co-founder of the Rewards for Justice Fund. "The measure proposed by Senator Trunzo represents a tremendous way for every New York driver to get involved, support this country's fight against terrorism, and truly make a difference."
"Today, there aren't many New Yorkers who know how to turn plowshares into swords, but turning license plates into weapons in the war on terrorism is the next best thing," said Joe Rutledge, President and co-founder of the Rewards for Justice Fund.
"We're grateful to Senator Trunzo and his colleagues for creating this opportunity."
If the measure is enacted into law, New York will become the second state in nation to create a license plate that benefits the anti-terrorist Rewards for Justice Fund. Legislation mandating such a plate in Florida was signed into law on November 20th, 2001 by Florida Governor Jeb Bush.
While the bill authorizing the new United We Stand license plate makes it way through the New York State Assembly, New York motorists can show their support for the bill and pre-register for a new plate by logging onto www.RewardsFund.org. Motorists in Florida, which adopted a United We Stand license plate two months ago, have streamed to the Web site to sign up for the plates.
The design for the New York United We Stand license plate, which was unveiled during today's Transportation Committee hearing, features the Statue of Liberty and a red, white and blue banner declaring "United We Stand."
In addition to registering for a new United We Stand license plate, New York residents, like all Americans, can also make contributions directly to the Rewards for Justice Fund by logging onto www.RewardsFund.org, or by calling toll-free 1-877-392-7373 and making a donation with their credit card.
About www.RewardsFund.org
The Rewards for Justice Fund is a private, non-profit organization formed in the days following the Sept. 11 attacks, specifically to raise funds that support the U.S. State Department's Rewards for Justice Program. The Program is one of the nation's most effective anti-terrorism efforts. The Norwalk, CT-based Fund, which was founded by two Connecticut businessmen, Scott Case and Joe Rutledge, turns 100 percent of the money it raises from the public over to the State Department's Rewards for Justice Program.
The Rewards for Justice Fund (www.RewardsFund.org) has been authorized by the U.S. State Department to collect money from individual Americans who want to contribute to the war against terrorism. It was founded by Case, one of the founders of Norwalk-based Priceline.com, and Rutledge, a former TV and marketing executive.
In addition to launching the Fund, the two have also lent their Internet and marketing expertise to the State Department. The two were instrumental in redesigning the official Rewards for Justice Program Web site () and coordinating a new toll-free number (1-800-U.S.REWARDS), both of which allow Americans to provide critical leads and make donations. Case and Rutledge have also created compelling Internet ads and other media that rally Americans to take action in the war against terrorism. Here's how the Rewards for Justice Fund works: Americans can log onto www.RewardsFund.org to make an online contribution to the Rewards for Justice Fund. Americans can also call 1-877-392-7373, or can send a check in the mail. Donations are tax-deductible, anonymous and secure. The Rewards for Justice Fund guarantees that no personal information will ever be given, sold or rented to any other individual, company or organization
For more information on the Rewards for Justice Fund, please visit the Web site at www.RewardsFund.org. For more information on the State Department's Rewards for Justice Program, visit its Web site at www.RewardsForJustice.net.
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