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Building a Stronger America01-01-03 | News
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It is hard to believe that just over a year ago the country was in the midst of one of the worst crises in our history. Today, with the help of the construction industry, the nation is healing and rebuilding. Having removed tons of debris from the World Trade Center site, our focus has shifted to rebuilding lower Manhattan and, at the same time, memorializing the victims of that tragic day. Also, remembering the victims of the Pentagon and the heroes of Flight 93, we find that the world-renowned shape of the Pentagon has been restored ?EUR??,,????'??+ in less than one year. The construction industry, with its many faces, is one of the unsung heroes of September 11, 2001. Working side by side with firemen, police and the national guard, the members of the AGC take great pride in the industry?EUR??,,????'???s accomplishments. At the 2003 annual convention, the AGC presented a commemorative video, ?EUR??,,????'??The Last to Leave,?EUR??,,????'?? that captures the pride of the industry and the role it assumed during the aftermath of 9/11. AGC has also donated nearly half a million dollars to the families of construction related workers who perished on that September day. In addition, AGC members and staff are working with The Infrastructure Security Partnership, the Office of Homeland Security, Congress, and the Bush Administration to ensure that the nation will be safe from future attacks. With little recognition or fanfare, the construction industry has helped rebuild our nation from tragedy, and is further helping in moving forward into the future. Accident Victims Scholarship Established Children of construction workers employed by AGC member firms that are killed as a result of an accident on a construction work site after December 31, 2002 will now be eligible for scholarships to help pursue their college education. The Associated General Contractors of America?EUR??,,????'???s (AGC?EUR??,,????'???s) Education and Research Foundation established the new educational scholarship because they recognized a need to support children of fallen construction workers post September 11. AGC Foundation President, Jim Pizzagalli (Pizzagalli Construction, Burlington, VT) said, ?EUR??,,????'??The Foundation recognizes the real need for this type of scholarship and is pleased to be able to help the families of the men and women who worked so hard to support our industry.?EUR??,,????'?? Scholarships will be available to college freshmen, sophomores and juniors enrolled in degree or certificate-granting, post-secondary educational institutions, and will be renewable each year until graduation. Students enrolled in masters or doctorate programs are not eligible. ?EUR??,,????'??With hundreds of construction-related fatalities each year, we are proud to support this new scholarship for families of accident victims. There?EUR??,,????'???s no better way to support our industry and honor our fellow workers that have fallen,?EUR??,,????'?? said AGC President Larry Gaskins and President of L.C. Gaskins Construction Company, Jacksonville, Fl. The Foundation plans to seek out industry-wide nominations for students that qualify for the AGC Construction Accident Victims Scholarship beginning January 2003. Those interested in learning more about this scholarship should contact Shannon Knutti, AGC Foundation Secretary, at (703) 837-5346 or knuttis@agc.org.
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