Chairman Carper Announces Call for Nominations for the 2014 Rick Rescorla National Award for Resilience

WASHINGTON—Today, Senator Tom Carper (D-Del.), Chairman of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, announced an open call for nominations for the 2014 Rick Rescorla National Award for Resilience, sponsored by the Department of Homeland Security. All nominations must be submitted by July 17 in order to be considered for this year’s award.

“In the face of a crisis, the leadership of one has the power to affect the lives of many,” said Chairman Carper. “The Rick Rescorla National Award for Resilience recognizes this exemplary leadership by an individual or organization, and serves to highlight the qualities of strength, resilience, and preparedness that all communities should exemplify during a catastrophe. This award is a reminder that we all have a role to play when a disaster strikes.”

The Rick Rescorla National Award for Resilience was created in 2012 in memory of Richard “Rick” Rescorla, who, on September 11, 2001 led a massive evacuation of Morgan Stanley’s 2,700-person workforce located in the South Tower of the World Trade Center, saving the lives of many of his coworkers.  Former Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano presented the first award to Jane Cage, Chair of the Citizens Advisory Recovery Team (CART) in Joplin, MO, and the citizens of Joplin last year. 

The Rick Rescorla National Award for Resilience is the Department of Homeland Security’s first national resilience award for superior leadership and innovation by a non-governmental individual or organization that exemplifies the qualities and achievements of Rick Rescorla, emphasizing leadership in effective preparation, response, and recovery in the face of disasters.

For more information on the Rick Rescorla National Award for Resilience and how to nominate an individual or organization, visit www.dhs.gov/rick-rescorla-national-award-resilience.  The nomination forms and supporting materials must be returned no later than July 17, 2014 in order to be considered for recognition in 2014.