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Presidential Medal of Freedom Recipient Zachary Fisher
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Presidential Medal of Freedom Recipient Zachary Fisher
TRIBUTE TO ZACHARY FISHER,
THE 1998 PRESIDENTIAL MEDAL OF FREEDOM RECIPIENT
(Senate - September 11, 1998) Mr. CLELAND. Mr. President, I rise today to honor Zachary Fisher, who on Monday, September 14, 1998 will be presented the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Bill Clinton at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York City.
The medal, which is the highest honor given to civilians by the President, is awarded annually to individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the security or national interest of the United States or to world peace, or those who have made a significant public or private accomplishment.
Zach and his wife, Elizabeth, have always felt strongly about the young men and women who serve in the U.S. Armed Forces. During WW II Elizabeth served in the USO, entertaining thousands of troops while they were away from home. Zach, unable to serve because of a leg injury sustained in a construction accident, assisted the U.S. Coast Guard in the construction of coastal defenses.
Although still active in his family's construction company, Fisher Brothers, he has devoted his time and energy to his country and bettering the lives of Americans. In 1978 he founded the Intrepid Museum Foundation, in an effort to save the historic and battle-scarred aircraft carrier Intrepid from scrapping. Through his efforts the vessel became the foundation of the Intrepid Sea Air Space Museum, which opened in New York City in 1982.
Through the Zachary and Elizabeth Fisher Armed Services Foundation, Zach has pledged to do all he can in support of our nation's military and their families, and to offer new opportunities to our children, such as through the educational programs at Intrepid, and as part of the Fisher House Program, to build homes for families of hospitalized military personnel.
His newest effort is the Fisher Center for Alzheimer's Research Foundation, founded in 1995 to fund research in, and work towards a cure for Alzheimer's disease. In partnership with David Rockefeller, Chairman of the Board of The Rockefeller University in New York, a new research center has been founded to help develop a cure for this debilitating disease.
Zach is also involved in many other charitable causes, including the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation, the Coast Guard Foundation, the Navy League, the Jewish Institute of National Security Affairs, the George C. Marshall Foundation, the Margaret Thatcher Foundation, the Reagan Presidential Library, the United Jewish Appeal, and many other organizations.
In addition to this year's Presidential Citizens' Medal, Zach has received the 1995 Presidential Citizens Medal, presented by President Clinton, and the Volunteer Action Award, presented by President Ronald Reagan.
Zachary Fisher truly exemplifies what it means to be a patriotic American, and continues to strengthen our Nation and improve the lives of many Americans. Mr. President, I ask that you join me and our colleagues in recognizing and honoring Zachary Fisher on many years of worth-while work and achievements which have culminated with the honor of receiving the 1998 Presidential Medal of Freedom. Zach Fisher is truly a remarkable man and a first-rate American deserving of such an honor.
Hospital Benefactor Receives Freedom Medal
By Douglas J. Gillert
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON -- Zachary Fisher, a philanthropist who, with his wife, Elizabeth, established Fisher Houses near military hospitals, recently received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in New York.
"I can think of no one more deserving to receive the Medal of Freedom than Zachary Fisher, because freedom has no finer friend," President Bill Clinton said Sept. 14 as he presented the nation's highest civilian award to the 87-year-old benefactor.
Clinton cited Fisher for his steadfast and generous support of the U.S. military. Besides the apartment-style houses that offer inexpensive lodging for families of hospitalized patients, Fisher sponsored the preservation of the World War II aircraft carrier USS Intrepid; funded a child care center at Camp Pendleton Marine Corps Base, Calif.; provides scholarships for active duty members and families; and funds Alzheimer's disease research. He also has regularly donated financial aid to the families of service members lost in the line of duty.
"In the history of our country, no single individual has given more philanthropically to the men and women who defend our freedom," Clinton said.
Calling the honor humbling, Fisher told Clinton, "We share in today's recognition of our support of those who give their lives to protect and defend our freedom. We owe them no less."
Besides Fisher's wife, Defense Secretary William Cohen, former Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Gen. John Shalikashvili, the military service chiefs and New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani attended the ceremony.
The award and citation will be permanently displayed at the Intrepid Sea-Air Space Museum in New York.
The Fisher Houses are designed to encourage guests to interact with and support one another emotionally. Each is designed to blend with the architectural styles of the area and has common kitchens and living areas surrounded by private bedrooms and baths. The temporary homes serve more than 5,000 families
annually, according to the Fisher House Foundation.
More information about Fisher Houses is on the Internet at http://www.fisherhouse.org or by e-mail at FisherHse@aol.com.
Military supporter and philanthropist Zachary Fisher dies
New York, N.Y. June 4, 1999 -- Mr. Zachary Fisher, one of this nation's strongest supporters of the U.S. military and most generous philanthropists, died today. Secretary of Defense William S. Cohen, speaking for all U. S. military personnel and their families, expressed deepest condolences to Mr. Fisher's widow, Mrs. Elizabeth M. Fisher, and the entire Fisher family.
"This is a great loss to the Department of Defense and to all of our men and women who serve around the world," said Secretary Cohen of the Brooklyn, N.Y.-born Fisher. "Zach Fisher was a true patriot, who believed in a strong defense, and held American military servicemen and women in the highest regard. He honored us all with his pride in the U. S. military and his generous, heartfelt support of those who defend our nation." When the United States entered World War II in 1941, Mr. Fisher was ineligible to serve in the armed forces due to a serious knee injury sustained in a construction accident. Nevertheless, determined to do his part, Mr. Fisher aided the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers in building coastal fortifications. Mrs. Fisher also served in World War II by entertaining thousands of troops through her participation in the United Service Organizations (USO). Following the war, Mr. Fisher, along with his brothers, earned an international reputation as a leader in the construction industry. The Fishers, in fact, have been responsible for contributing some of the most prominent corporate office buildings to the world-famous New York City skyline. But Mr. and Mrs. Fisher have been best known over the last two decades among the U. S. military for their work to support families in need. The Fishers, saddened by service-related tragedies that often cost the lives of military personnel and shatter families left behind, established the Zachary and Elizabeth M. Fisher Armed Service Foundation following the 1983 terrorist bombing of the U. S. Marine Barracks in Beirut, Lebanon. This attack, which took 241 American lives, moved the Fishers to make generous financial contributions to support each of the families affected by this tragedy. To date, more than 250 families from all branches of the armed services have benefited from similar support. The Fisher Armed Services Foundation also provides scholarship funds to Armed Services personnel and their families. Since 1987, more than 700 students have received scholarships of between $500 and $2,500, assisting in education which otherwise might not have been affordable. In 1990, the Fishers began the Fisher House Program, dedicating more than $15 million to the construction of temporary homes for military families of patients receiving care at major military and VA Medical Centers. The houses are designed to provide all the comforts of a "home away from home," and to allow the families to support one another through their difficult times. The 25th Fisher House opened in Fort Hood, Tex., in May 1998. In similar charitable efforts, the Fishers pledged $1.4 million for the establishment of a child care center at Camp Pendleton Marine Base, Calif., and led support for the CAMP Program at Lackland Air Force Base, which services disabled children of military personnel. Mr. Fisher also founded the Intrepid Museum Foundation in 1978, saving the historic and battle-scarred aircraft carrier Intrepid from scrapping. Through his efforts, the ship became the cornerstone of the Intrepid Sea-Air-Space Museum, which opened in New York City in 1982. He contributed more than $25 million to the establishment and operation of the museum. Each year, Intrepid hosts more than 500,000 visitors of all ages from around the world and sponsors numerous educational programs. Ten thousand New York City school children receive supplemental science and history lessons there. Hundreds more participate in Cadet Corps and Sea Cadet Corps after-school and summer programs, and at-risk high school youth are offered vocational training and counseling at the museum. Mr. Fisher was also involved in many other patriotic and charitable causes. He served as Honorary Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation, and underwrote the costs of its annual benefit dinner, as well as those of the Coast Guard Foundation, the Navy League and other military-related charitable organizations. He established the annual Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Award for Excellence in Military Medicine. He was a major supporter of the Jewish Institute of National Security Affairs, the George C. Marshall Foundation, the Margaret Thatcher Foundation, the Reagan Presidential Library, the United Jewish Appeal and many other organizations. Fisher was a recipient of the Horatio Alger Award and was presented with the Volunteer Action Award by President Reagan on June 10, 1988. In April 1995, President Clinton presented Mr. Fisher with the Presidential Citizens Medal and in 1998, the President awarded him the nation's highest civilian honor, the Presidential Medal of Freedom . Secretary of the Navy Richard Danzig also recognized the tremendous support provided to Sailors and Marines by Mr. Fisher. "It is impossible to measure the good that Zach Fisher has done for the Navy and Marine Corps," said Danzig. "His efforts to save the historic carrier Intrepid have received wide acclaim. But he will be best known and loved for the generous contributions that he made quietly - often out of the public eye, with no recognition - to hundreds of our service men and women and their families. We will miss him deeply." Chief of Naval Operations, Admiral Jay L. Johnson, added, "It is with profound sadness that I note the passing of Zachary Fisher. He was a true friend of the United Sates Navy and a great benefactor to our Sailors and their families. We will miss his warm friendship, his deep compassion, and his wonderful vision in caring for the families who serve our great nation. No one person has done more to help military families than Zach Fisher. He was a true patriot who will always be remembered for his spirit of generosity. Our prayers are with Mrs. Fisher and the entire Fisher family." A private funeral service will be held at the Intrepid Sea-Air-Space Museum in New York City on Monday, June 7 at 1100. The Fisher family has requested that, in lieu of flowers, a contribution may be sent to the Intrepid Museum Foundation or the Fisher House Foundation.
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Medal History
