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NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue Honored By National Alliance For Autism Research
Dan Marino and Doug Flutie Serve As Honorary Co-Chairs For Star-Studded Affair June 6 in New York
PRINCETON, N.J. (June 1, 2000) - National Football League Commissioner Paul Tagliabue will be honored for his support for charitable activities by the National Alliance for Autism Research at its first Award Dinner.
A number of well-known football personalities whose families have been touched by autism are expected to attend the June 6 dinner at the Waldorf-Astoria.
"Paul Tagliabue is known for his work in charitable activities," said Robert Preston Tisch, a dinner co-chair, and chairman and co-CEO of the New York Giants. "His willingness to support NAAR is characteristic of how he approaches every aspect of his professional and personal life."
Jeffrey Lurie, owner of the Philadelphia Eagles and a trustee of NAAR, who has a brother with autism, will serve as dinner co-chair. Mr. Tisch was motivated to support autism research as a result of his friendship with NAAR’s treasurer, Mark Krinsky, a longtime employee who is the father of a child with autism.
Honorary co-chairs are Dan and Claire Marino and Doug and Laurie Flutie. Each couple has a child who has been diagnosed with autism disorders.
Autism is a neurological disorder, usually diagnosed by age three, that affects communicative, emotional, behavioral, fine motor and gross motor skills.
Once thought to be a rare disorder, autism affects at least one in every 500 children, making it one of the most common chronic diseases of childhood. Although normal in appearance, children with autism often have severe difficulties relating to others, learning or understanding the infinite nuances of human interaction.
"I am honored to be recognized by NAAR," Mr. Tagliabue said. "The National Football League has been touched by this disease. From players’ and owners’ families to league management autism has affected many lives in pro-football.
"NAAR’s fight is our fight," Mr. Tagliabue added.
In the five years since it was founded by Karen and Eric London, parents of a child with autism, NAAR has funded more biomedical research into the causes and treatment of autism than any other non-governmental organization. The goal is to find a cure for the wide range of autism disorders.
The black tie dinner, which begins at 6 p.m., will be hosted by Don Criqui, a poplu sports and entertainment broadcaster. Two-time Tony nominee Christine Andreas will perform at the dinner. Ms. Andreas most recently appeared on Broadway in "Rags," "Fields of Ambrosia" and "The Scarlet Pimpernel." She received her Tony nominations for her performances in the revival of "Oklahoma" and the original production of "On Your Toes."
About NAAR
NAAR was founded to fund biomedical research into the causes, prevention, treatment and cure of autism and related disorders. Since 1997, NAAR has committed more than $3 million in grants to 50 scientists in the United States, Canada, Italy, Spain and Russia. NAAR has also launched the nation’s first autism tissue program.
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