NEWS |
155-98: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE , November 18, 1998
Today's Port Authority Medal Awards ceremony recognized an officer critically wounded by a shotgun blast during a confrontation with a suspected murderer at the George Washington Bridge; the team that provided a trouble-free start-up for E-ZPass at the world's busiest network of tunnels and bridges, and individuals honored for achievements ranging from crafting hundreds of labor contracts to winning crucial federal support for the Airtrain rail link to Kennedy Airport.
"The medals are the highest form of recognition the Port Authority bestows," said Port Authority Executive Director Robert E. Boyle, who presided over the awards ceremony. "The men and women we honor today set an example for us all, and provide fresh reminders of the ideals of public service. I am delighted to publicly recognize them for distinguishing themselves - and the Port Authority - with their hard work, dedication and courage."
Mr. Boyle and Port Authority Chairman Lewis M. Eisenberg spoke at ceremonies at the New York Marriott World Trade Center Hotel. They presented awards to 145 employees and others for significant contributions to the Port Authority and its customers.
Medal of Honor -- The Medal of Honor is awarded to a Port Authority staff member who showed extraordinary bravery.
On November 20, 1997, at the George Washington Bridge, Police Officer Corvet Curley put himself at great personal risk while responding to a report of an armed suspect who had already killed a police officer, shot a bystander and stolen three vehicles. Officer Curley was hit with a shotgun blast during the incident, causing a life-threatening wound. He continues to recover.
Police Commendation Medal -- Police Commendation Medals, for actions involving personal risk or exceptionally good judgment, were awarded to five individuals.
Four members of the Port Authority Police Department were recognized for their actions during the November 20, 1997, incident at the George Washington Bridge. They are Officers Reginald L. Bates of Teaneck, N.J., Richard Delaney of Ridgefield Park, N.J., Lieutenants David E. Hanna of Stanhope, N.J., and William Y. Holder of Dix Hills, N.Y.
They risked serious injury as they moved to disarm and arrest the suspect, and they protected bystanders and ensured that Officer Curley received immediate attention for his nearly fatal wounds.
Also awarded a Police Commendation Medal was Officer Christopher Romanowski of Carteret, N.J. Officer Romanowski was at home on October 1, 1997, when he opened his door and saw a blood-spattered, disturbed man waving knives and threatening to kill a group of children. Because of the presence of the children, Officer Romanowski chose not to use his handgun and physically subdued the individual.
Robert F. Wagner Distinguished Service Medals -- Seven Wagner medals, named for the late Mayor of New York City and Vice-Chairman of the Port Authority, were awarded for "unusually effective or distinguished service to either the organization or the community."
Throughout his 39 years with the Port Authority Police Department, Officer Leon F. Bienkowski of Secaucus, N.J., has shown both diplomatic and law enforcement skills in providing security for dignitaries ranging from the Beatles to Pope John Paul II. He has also played a leadership role during events ranging from airport crashes to celebrations such as the 1976 Bicentennial.
William Czirjak of Fair Lawn, N.J., has consistently gone beyond the requirements for his job during his 33-year career in electrical and supervisory posts at the Port Authority. Most recently, he helped develop a new light-fixture replacement for tunnel ceilings that produced major savings on the cost of fixtures, replacement parts, labor and electricity.
Peter R. Furkey of Morris Plains, N.J., began his career at PATH in 1962, rising through the ranks from signal helper to Superintendent of the Signal Division. In December 1992, PATH recovered quickly from a nor'easter because he took on the monumental task of restoring a significant portion of the signal system, which had been immersed in salt water for several days. He restored the signal within five days - a job that normally can take up to several weeks.
Louis J. LaCapra of Short Hills, N.J., the Port Authority's Chief of Staff, began working for the agency 35 years ago. He has served with distinction on assignments ranging from the expansion of PATH's operations to labor contract negotiations. He has successfully crafted hundreds of labor contracts, including 18 in the last two years alone. Mr. LaCapra is currently using his analytical and problem-solving skills at the highest levels of the agency, as Chief of Staff.
Anthony P. Marciano of Staten Island has been cited for many accomplishments during his 36-year career, including his role in ensuring the removal of 1,800 tons of waste from the World Trade Center during a trash haulers' strike, but his humanitarian efforts are also outstanding. Each year, he organizes a service in memory of those who perished in the 1993 World Trade Center bombing. He also hosts an annual holiday party on the Trade Center's observation deck for special-needs children throughout the region.
Virginia C. Valenti of Brick, N.J., a veteran of 38 years with the Port Authority, has worked tirelessly behind the scenes to allow the Engineering Department's Design Division to meet tight deadlines, even when they appeared unrealistic. Her administrative skills have proved vital to the delivery of the agency's capital program.
Hugh H. Welsh of Cranford, N.J., the Port Authority's Deputy General Counsel, has been a distinguished public-sector professional and a role model for fellow attorneys in the Law Department. He has skillfully represented the Port Authority and PATH before state and federal courts, including the U.S. Supreme Court. He has played a major role in developing a regional solution to the dredging crisis in the Port of New York and New Jersey, and in developing a strategy to ensure competitive rail service in the region after the acquisition of Conrail by the Norfolk Southern and CSX Railroads.
Executive Director's Award of Achievement -- Two employees won this award for "results that are well beyond the requirements of their jobs."
Arthur P. Berg of Brooklyn and Patricia A. Clark of Manhattan played key roles in obtaining community and federal support to secure more than $1 billion in Passenger Facility Charge revenues for construction of the light-rail system at John F. Kennedy International Airport. The system, called Airtrain, will provide the fast, dependable mass transit links to JFK that travelers have sought for decades. It will also whisk them from terminal to terminal.
Civilian Commendation Medal -- The Civilian Commendation Medal is awarded for actions involving personal risk or exceptionally good judgment.
On October 30, 1997, Lincoln Tunnel Tour Manager Charles S. Hoppe of South Plainfield, N.J., identified and pursued a vehicle that had been used in a robbery. His actions led to the arrest of three armed robbers, and recovery of more than $300,000 worth of stolen property.
James G. Hellmuth Unit Citation -- This award was renamed in 1998 to honor Port Authority Commissioner James G. Hellmuth, who served on the Port Authority Board from 1970 to 1997. It recognizes outstanding performance by members of a unit, section, division or special task force. Non-Port Authority staff also may receive a unit citation.
Unit citations were awarded to four teams, comprising 129 individuals.
One team worked tirelessly to ensure safety and public service on July 31, 1997, when Federal Express Flight 14 crash-landed on Runway 22R at Newark International Airport. The aircraft was engulfed in flames, with burning parts scattered on the runway, in the grass and along Taxiway B. The team handled all aspects of the crash and its aftermath - including firefighting and rescue duties, operating the airport with a closed runway, and the vast logistics supporting the investigation.
Another team was cited for the successful implementation of E-ZPass, the electronic toll-collection system, at all Port Authority tunnels and bridges. Customers benefited enormously from the smooth, problem-free start-up of E-ZPass during the summer and fall of 1997.
A third team successfully completed a bold project - repaving Runway 4L-22R at Newark International Airport in 15 days -- between April 26 and May 11 last year. This aggressive schedule required, on average, the arrival of one asphalt truck every three minutes, 24 hours a day. During the 15-day period, work crews laid more than 90,000 tons of asphalt and installed a complete in-pavement lighting system. more
A fourth team participated in "KAT-NET," an acronym for Kennedy Airport Theft Net - the most significant cargo-theft investigation in the history of the Port Authority Police. The three-year investigation, which also involved the FBI, New York State Police, the Queens District Attorney's Office and the Eastern District U.S. Attorney's Office, led to 150 prosecutable cases and recovery of $14 million in stolen property, including avionics equipment and more than 100 automatic weapons.
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey operates more than two-dozen facilities in the region, including John K. Kennedy International, Newark International and LaGuardia airports, marine terminals in Newark, Elizabeth, Brooklyn and Staten Island, two interstate tunnels and four bridges, two Manhattan bus terminals, the World Trade Center and the PATH interstate rapid transit system.
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(Editors: Following are the names and hometowns of the recipients of individual medal awards. The names and hometowns of those awarded unit citations are available from the Port Authority Office of Media Relations, (212) 435-7777.)
New Jersey
Leon F. Bienkowski, Secaucus, Wagner Medal
Reginald L. Bates, Teaneck, Police Commendation Medal
Corvet Curley, Medal of Honor
William Czirjak, Fair Lawn, Wagner Medal
Richard B. Delaney, Ridgefield Park, Police Commendation Medal
Peter R. Furkey, Morris Plains, Wagner Medal
David E. Hanna, Stanhope, Police Commendation Medal
Charles S. Hoppe, South Plainfield, Commendation Medal
Louis J. LaCapra, Short Hills, Wagner Medal
Christopher V. Romanowski, Carteret, Police Commendation Medal
Virginia C. Valenti, Brick, Wagner Medal
Hugh H. Welsh, Cranford, Wagner Medal
New York
Arthur P. Berg, Brooklyn, Executive Director's Award
Patricia A. Clark, Manhattan, Executive Director's Award
William Y Holder, Dix Hills, Police Commendation Medal
Anthony P. Marciano, Staten Island, Wagner Medal