Press Release - The International Freedom Center

September, 2005

IFC sets initial members of family advisory group
Relatives of September 11th victims to advise on programming, oversee gallery on world reaction to attacks

NEW YORK, September 6, 2005 - The International Freedom Center, the new cultural institution designated to be an integral part of the living memorial to September 11, today announced the initial membership of its own family advisory group. The panel, formation of which had been pledged by the Center in July, will be chaired by Paula Grant Berry, vice chair of the International Freedom Center and wife of David Berry, and Thomas Roger, father of Jean Roger. Joining Ms. Berry and Mr. Roger as initial members of the new group are:

Virginia Bauer, wife of David Bauer;
Don Goodrich, father of Peter Goodrich;
Susan Magazine, wife of Jay Magazine;
Nikki Stern, wife of James Potorti; and
Robin Theurkauf, wife of Thomas Theurkauf.

It is expected that additional members will join the group in time.

The IFC's family advisory group will advise the Center's board and staff on all aspects of Center programming, and will, as promised in July, oversee the Center's permanent main lobby exhibition on "The World and September 11."

Ms. Berry and Mr. Roger said, "We are very pleased that these distinguished family members have agreed to join us as volunteers in helping to advise the International Freedom Center as it builds a critical component of the living memorial to September 11. This diverse group brings commitment, passion and purpose to this effort, and a new set of voices to the ongoing conversation on how best to build something enduring and hopeful at the World Trade Center site."

Tom Bernstein, co-founder and chairman of the International Freedom Center, said, "For well more than a year, the IFC has drawn strength and wisdom from Paula Berry, our vice chair and one of our founding directors. We've also long admired Tom Roger for his dedication, and consistent and thoughtful advocacy of a living memorial. We're deeply honored that these additional family members, some of whom we've also long been consulting informally and some of whom are new to the IFC, have now agreed to join Paula and Tom in this critical work. With this announcement, we re-dedicate ourselves to molding an International Freedom Center worthy of all who were lost, and an inspiring legacy to future generations."

Of the members of the new IFC group, Ms. Berry, Mr. Roger, Ms. Bauer and Ms. Stern are also members of the Lower Manhattan Development Corporation's Families Advisory Council. Ms. Berry and Mr. Roger are also members of the board of the World Trade Center Memorial Foundation. Carie Lemack, daughter of Judy Larocque and also a member of the LMDC's Families Advisory Council, serves separately on the IFC's service advisory board.

About the International Freedom Center

The International Freedom Center is envisioned as an integral part of the living memorial to September 11 at the World Trade Center site. It shares the mission of the World Trade Center Memorial to "strengthen our resolve to preserve freedom, and inspire an end to hatred, ignorance, and intolerance."

The Center is built on a view of freedom as a world historical movement in which America has played a leading role. The story of freedom is a narrative of hope. September 11 is an essential element of this story, powerfully illustrating that new challenges to freedom will always arise, that freedom's work remains unfinished, and that there is a place for all of us in this work.

The Center carries on its own work through three major components:

Museum exhibition spaces: will tell personal stories and explore crucial themes in the history of freedom, detailing the contributions of countless individual women and men, including the heroes of September 11, around the world who have made a difference to its cause.

An educational and cultural center: will sponsor an extensive array of lectures, symposia, discussions, films, and other events in its theaters and public halls that will nurture a respectful and positive global conversation on freedom in our world today.

A service and civic engagement network: will offer visitors opportunities to act in freedom's service in their own communities and around the world.

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