Date: 24 September 2001
Contact: Kanchan Paser
Tel: 212-963-0343
Fax: 212-963-1395
e-mail: kanchan@sunshineawards.com
For Immediate Release
13th Annual SUNSHINE Awards Postponed
Show of Respect for Victims of Tragedy
Teaneck, New Jersey, 24 September, 2001…………… The SUNSHINE Awards®
organization today released the following statement:
The devastating acts of terrorism, which took place on Tuesday, 11 September,
have touched us all. This horrific tragedy has caused enormous grief as we mourn
the loss of thousands of innocent individuals. The SUNSHINE Awards® extends its
deepest sympathy to everyone who has suffered a loss as a result of these
terrible acts. We know that among the many who have lost their lives or are
missing are a number of Caribbean-Americans. Our heartfelt sympathy goes out to
their families and to the Governments who mourn their loss. Our organization
also shares the sorrow and pain of all New Yorkers and, indeed of all Americans,
in the wake of this unprecedented and devastating disaster.
This should have been a time of celebration as we prepared for the 13th
Annual SUNSHINE Awards® scheduled to be held on 21 October 2001. Instead, it is
a time of great sadness and mourning. As a show of respect for the thousands who
have perished and for those who are in mourning, the SUNSHINE Awards® has taken
the unprecedented decision to postpone the 13th Annual SUNSHINE Awards Program.
The recipients for 2001 will be honored and presented with their awards at a
later date, which will be communicated to our members and to the general public.
This information will also be posted on our web site, www.sunshineawards.com.
We are confident that members and supporters of the SUNSHINE Awards share our
concern and wholeheartedly support this decision. The Mighty Sparrow, Calypso
King of the World, expressed his own feelings of sorrow and said, "What has
happened is so horrible. Even though I do not know any of those people, I feel
for them and I have been praying for them." He went on to say, "We are
going through a tremendous amount of ache and pain. I think that postponing the
Awards is the right thing to do. It is the least we can do to show respect and
sympathy for what has happened."
This sentiment is shared by Dr. Elise Bourne-Busby, Ed.D, Principal of Whittier
Elementary School in Teaneck, New Jersey. She comments, "What has happened
is not just an American tragedy. It affects all people and all cultures. It has
erased the seams and barriers, which exist between people. Today culture, gender
and race no longer seem to matter. We are now looking at each other simply as
human beings. The SUNSHINE Awards is a magnificent and celebratory program and
it would not be appropriate to hold it at this time. It's postponement
demonstrates our respect for everyone who is a victim in this tragedy."
The Co-founder of the SUNSHINE Awards Hall of Fame, noted historian and
calypsonian, Dr. Hollis Chalkdust Liverpool, fully agrees with our decision to
postpone the awards program. "It would be unthinkable to hold the awards at
this time. It is important for us to show our solidarity will all who have
perished and all who are in mourning as a result of this devastating tragedy.
All communities have been affected and we are all in mourning."
Gil Figaro, Sr., Founder and Chairman of the SUNSHINE Awards®, in announcing
the decision to postpone the Awards, had this to say, "The enormity of this
tragedy has left us all in a state of shock and disbelief. We have been
overwhelmed by grief. We have also been overwhelmed by individual acts of
kindness and heroism. We have been brought together as never before. The
SUNSHINE Awards® organization commends the bravery of the thousands who have
given so selflessly of themselves, firefighters, police, emergency personnel and
countless volunteers. Let us hope that out of this tragedy a new spirit of
understanding and cooperation will develop between people of all races and all
cultures. Each one of us has a role to play. Let it be one where peace and
harmony prevails."
