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The tragic events of September 11, 2001 left an indelible mark on the hearts and minds of people across the world.  For the employees of the Department of Taxation and Finance the events of the day hit particularly hard.  On that fateful morning the second hijacked airliner struck the second tower at the World Trade Center, and in doing so, destroyed our offices there and claimed the lives of 40 of our beloved colleagues.

Before the full magnitude of these events was even able to be grasped, the employees of the Department were called upon by Governor Pataki to aid the nation in its hour of need.  Because it fields the largest call center among New York State agencies, the State Emergency Management Office tasked the Department to operate the World Trade Center emergency hotlines which were critical in organizing the State's response, accepting contributions of goods and services and mobilizing volunteers from across the country to save lives and businesses at ground zero.  Instead of being stunned into inaction, the attacks of September 11 stoked the flames of determination, pride and sacrifice among our employees.  All New Yorkers can be proud of the employees of the Department of Taxation and Finance

In addition to operating the hotlines, the Department was also tasked with establishing and managing the New York State World Trade Center Relief Fund.  This fund was established by Governor Pataki to ensure that the families of victims of these cowardly attacks would have the financial resources to reestablish their lives.  The New York State World Trade Center Relief Fund raised more than $69 million.  Donations ranged from the change in a child's coin purse to multi-million dollar donations by America's leading corporations and foreign governments.  In addition to the vast financial resources donated, tens of thousands of cards, letters, poems, stuffed animals, quilts and other personal reflections poured into the Department and are now archived at the New York State Museum in Albany.

This outpouring of support reaffirmed for many Department employees that the evil of a few can never overshadow the goodness of the many.  The brave and tireless actions of countless public servants demonstrated to the people of New York, and the world over, that the citizens of New York State are well served by their government.  By pulling together as a family of New Yorkers we have shown the world our undaunted strength and our never ending compassion. While tragic to the heart, the events of September 11 proved the resiliency of the soul.

This report is dedicated to our beloved colleagues, who are gone but never forgotten.

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Last Modified: November 14, 2003