Washington, D.C. ? April 6, 2006 ? Motorola, Inc. (NYSE:MOT) and the Motorola Foundation today announced a $1 million donation to the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF) to fund the Paul S. Sarbanes Scholarship Program and activities related to the annual National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend. The announcement was made today at an event honoring the survivors of fallen firefighters.
?This donation is an enormous benefit to survivor families looking to rebuild their lives after the loss of their loved ones,? said Hal Bruno, Chairman of NFFF. ?It will also help us honor our nation's heroes and their families during the annual National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend. The scholarship program and memorial weekend are significant NFFF undertakings, and I want to thank Motorola and the Motorola Foundation for their generous donation that will help support these worthwhile efforts.?
?Motorola is proud to stand with our nation's fire and emergency services professionals, and we have made this commitment to show our continued support and gratitude for their service to our families, our communities and our nation,? said Kelly Kirwan, Vice President, Motorola Networks & Enterprise business. ?For more than seven decades, Motorola has been a proud supplier and supporter of the American fire service, providing mission critical communications for our nation's First Responders. On behalf of Motorola employees, we salute our nation's fire service and pay tribute to the fallen firefighters who have given the ultimate sacrifice in serving their communities. Motorola is privileged to team with the NFFF and assist the survivors of our fallen fire service heroes.?
The Sarbanes Scholarship Program is named after Maryland U.S. Senator Paul Sarbanes, who helped launch the program in 1997. The Motorola Foundation's donation to the program will support students pursuing careers in the areas of science, technology, engineering and math. The donation to the NFFF annual Memorial Weekend will enable survivor families to attend the event and participate in activities under the Fire Service Survivors Network.
Survivor Stories
Mrs. Helen King
NFFF's Sarbanes Scholarship Program benefits people like Helen King of Alamo, Tennessee. Mrs. King lost her husband, volunteer firefighter Larry King, Sr., when he died in the line of duty at the scene of a motor vehicle accident. The NFFF assisted Mrs. King and her family by awarding her a scholarship to pursue a degree from West Tennessee Business College.
Mrs. King completed her studies in 2001 and is now better prepared to provide for her family through her employment at Lane College. Mrs. King was the first spouse to receive a scholarship from the Foundation. She has worked with the Foundation as a volunteer since 1999 and was recently appointed as a member of the Foundation's Advisory Board.
?I am very thankful to the NFFF for the opportunity it gave our family,? said Mrs. King, ?and I think Motorola's generosity is wonderful because it will enable many more survivor families to have the kind of opportunities that I have had to rebuild my family.?
Ms. Jessica Seaburg
Jessica Seaburg of Delmar, New York, is the daughter of fallen firefighter Kevin Seaburg, who suffered a fatal heart attack after battling a house fire in 1997. At the time Jessica's father died, she was 13 years old and had to assume a lot of responsibility in everyday life, assisting her mother with raising her younger sister who was 5 years old. With the help of the Sarbanes Scholarship program, Jessica has been able to attend Sage College of Albany and anticipates graduating in May with a bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice and Law.
?I plan on pursuing a career in the Family Court System,? said Ms. Seaburg, ?which would enable me to help other children. I?m eager to serve my community just as my father once did. The Foundation's assistance reduced the burden of financial hardship on my studies, just as the Motorola donation will give other survivors the opportunity to further their educational goals and personal growth to the fullest extent.?