Let’s give them a round of applause!
The New York Post is proud to announce the finalists for our eighth annual Liberty Medal Awards, a program that honors the hometown heroes whose good deeds and gallantry are the core of the Big Apple.Tonight, winners selected in each of these eight categories will receive a Liberty medal and be applauded at a reception emceed by beloved New Yorker and TV host Regis Philbin.
The Post inaugurated its Liberty Medals campaign after 9/11, when a parade of unsung heroes immediately stepped forward with arms outstretched to help others without expecting recognition.
This year, we again asked you, our readers, to nominate your neighbors, co-workers and others you admire for stepping up to the plate, whether it was to keep us and our families safe or to improve our way of life.You responded enthusiastically, nominating people from all walks of life in the eight Liberty Medal categories.
A distinguished panel of New Yorkers selected the winners from the list of finalists profiled on these pages today.The judges, in alphabetical order, included Roger Ailes, chairman of Fox News Channel; Della Britton Baeza, president/ CEO, The Jackie Robinson Foundation; previous Liberty Medal winner Geoffrey Canada, President/ CEO, Harlem Children’s Zone; and previous Liberty Medal winner Majora Carter, President/ CEO, Majora Carter Group, LLC.Also, John Catsimatidis, Chairman/ CEO, Gristedes Foods Inc.; CUNY Chancellor Matthew Goldstein; Police Commissioner Ray Kelly; Lew Leone, vice president and general manager of WNYW-Fox 5 and WWOR-My9; Fire Commissioner Nicholas Scoppetta.And, Harvey Weinstein, co-chairman of the Weinstein Co.; Bill White, president, Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum; and Lloyd Williams, president/ CEO, the Greater Harlem Chamber of Commerce.The winners will receive a Liberty Medal created for The Post by renowned graphic designer Milton Glaser, who devised the iconic “I Love NY” logo.
Liberty Medals Categories
Young Heart
For the youth under 17 who most impressively displayed adult resolve; not for a physical feat, but for behavior that displays moral character or mature judgment during the past year.
Leadership
For a compassionate, disciplined person whose activities during the past year most improved the quality of life in a borough or neighborhood.
New York’s Finest
For the police officer whose on-the-job performance reflects the department’s honor and selflessness; to be selected in consultation with the NYPD and the Port Authority Police Department.
New York’s Bravest
For the firefighter or EMS technician whose performance in the line of duty best exemplifies the department’s unflinching heroism; to be selected in consultation with the FDNY.
Educator
For an administrator or teacher who excels at preparing the next generation of New Yorkers for their future challenges.
Courage
For a notable act of bravery by a civilian that contributed to saving human life.
Lifetime Achievement
For the individual whose accomplishments reflect the very best of our city.
Freedom
For an immigrant New Yorker who best embodies the values of honesty, industriousness and hard-earned success or a native New Yorker who reflects the finest qualities of New York to the world.