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CNN Live Event/Special

Giuliani Outlines Distribution of Fund for Rescue Worker's Families

Aired November 20, 2001 - 11:45   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: We're going to keep it in New York. The mayor, now, talking about the distribution of money to those in need.

(JOINED IN PROGRESS)

RUDOLPH GIULIANI, MAYOR OF NEW YORK CITY: We've -- we've sent out to 313 families. So, ultimately, it's going to be closer to 400. So the first distribution will be around 40 million dollars of the 105,700,000 that we've raised.

The totals are -- we had 43 today. But the totals are 27 Port Authority, 21 New York Police Department, 264 F.D.N.Y.-E.M.F., one court officer for 313. And again, the distribution is $75,000 for the surviving spouse. $10,000, in addition, to the surviving spouse to ease the transition from salary to pension. $25,000 for each child aged 23 or younger. $10,000 for adult children. That would be age 24 and older. And $50,000 for the next of kin and families where there is no surviving spouse.

And that's the initial distribution. And, now that the directors will determine how the additional funds should be distributed, what is the most appropriate way to do that, in order to make sure that we deal with the needs of all of these families, which are quite significant.

And also make certain that we follow the letter and spirit of the intent of the donors, which is that this money goes to the families of the rescue workers that were part of the World Trade Center rescue. That was why they donated this money. There are many other charitable purposes. Many other charitable reasons. But this particular money was donated for that reason, and we should scrupulously follow that reason.

HEMMER: So many thousands and thousands of people in New York City in need, not only at the holiday time, but given the attacks of September 11th. The mayor there, Rudy Giuliani, mapping out, again, the funds to be distributed. We've heard those numbers before. That specific fund is he referring to, $75,000 for surviving spouse, and then distribution for kids, 25,000 at some points and 10,000 for a child who is an adult still in the same family. At the holiday time, if there is anything that can help some people get by, indeed the distribution of this money will be quite critical in the days and weeks, months and years to come.

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