It was a week of heroes. From meeting the Israeli Consul General to honoring health care heroes who impact all our lives, to recognizing the iconic Claire Shulman, it was an extraordinary week!
When I heard the horrific news of the attack by Hamas terrorists on innocent Israelis, our media began publishing the bios of the captured Israelis that became hostages and our mastheads have a ribbon of the Israeli flag and the message “Bring the 59 hostages home.”
I had the opportunity to meet Israeli Consul General Ofir Akunis a few times and he invited me to his embassy offices in Manhattan. I made my way there to his office in a skyscraper on Second Avenue.
His office features both the American and Israeli flags, a testimony to the support Israel has received from our country.
Akunis shared his appreciation of the support my media has given the Israelis.
It seems so clear to me that the people who attacked Israel are terrorists who can and will go after us, too. So, the consul general hopes to continue helping us cover the hostage horrors and keep us updated on the progress Israel is making in spite of the war.
How many people know that Waze was invented by Israelis? Here are some other great things that originated in Israel:
- Drip Irrigation
- USB Flash Drive
- PillCam
- A quick-acting first aid bandage used for treating severe wounds
- RSA Encryption
- The 8088 Processor that played a key role in the development of the personal computer
- The Merkava Tank used by the Israeli Defense Forces
- Unmanned Planes
- The Iron Dome mobile air defense system designed to intercept rockets and artillery shells.
Such innovation!
Later in the week, my events team led by my daughter Elizabeth honored outstanding leaders at our Healthcare Heroes event.
A memorable moment was when a Carmelite sister took to the red carpet to be recognized with a smile as big as a full moon. Our emcee announced it was Sister Margaret Edward Costello’s 60th year serving the elderly! Remarkable!
The next day, it was my greatest joy to see the dedication of the Claire Shulman Pavilion at Queens Hospital, five years after her death.
Claire was the epitome of a public servant, having held the position of Queens Borough President for 16 years and putting more shovels in the ground than any borough president in the history of New York City.
I loved telling the story about how Claire, a Democrat, built a strong relationship with Rudy Giuliani, our Republican mayor.
He happened to visit her office on her birthday and her staff brought out a cake. When she blew out the candles, Giuliani asked what she wished for and she said she wanted a pool built in Flushing Meadows Corona Park. He said, “Well, how can I deny you your wish? Of course I’ll do it.” Another shovel in the ground!
Claire knew how to build bridges across the aisle for the people of Queens. She was always about serving the people of her beloved borough.
Many thanks to current Queens Borough President Donovan Richards for leading the charge to give Claire the respect she deserves.
I hope she enjoyed the dedication ceremony from wherever she is, hopefully smiling down on us from heaven!
What a week it was!
Celebrating Frederico
Love to you, my dear readers.
