Devorah Halberstam receives FBI Director’s Community Leadership Award

NEW YORK, NY [CHI] — Yesterday evening, the FBI’s New York Division honored a true fighter against terrorism with the presentation of the Director’s Community Leadership Award. This special award, presented on behalf of the Director of the FBI, was formally created in 1990 as a way to honor individuals and organizations for their efforts in combating crime, terrorism, drugs, and violence in America.

Devorah Halberstam, this year’s award recipient, was recognized for her endless pursuit of justice and dedication for victim’s rights.

On March 1, 1994, Devorah’s son, Ari Halberstam, was murdered in a terrorist attack on the Brooklyn Bridge. Following her son’s murder, Devorah committed herself to the fight against terrorism. She pounded the halls of Congress to change laws on immigration, terrorism and gun control. Working side by side with former Governor of New York George Pataki and other officials, she was instrumental in enacting the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2001, the first of its kind in New York State.

Determined to close loopholes in gun control laws, Devorah pushed for legislative changes and regulation. This led to the inception of Ari’s Law, an interstate gun trafficking law that is part of a comprehensive gun control law passed in New York State through the efforts of Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver and signed by Governor Pataki. Because of this demonstrated tenacity in her fight against terrorism, Devorah was appointed by Governor Pataki to serve on the first New York State Commission on Terrorism.

One of Devorah’s proudest accomplishments was the construction of the Jewish Children’s Museum in Brooklyn honoring her son’s legacy and embodying his enthusiasm for his heritage. This multi-media museum opened in 2004 and is dedicated to teaching tolerance to all children so that we may all grow to live in a peaceful society. On the outside of the museum is an inscription, which, translated into English reads, “Inside the museum one will find a living tree. This tree is a symbol, reminding us all that if nurtured, we will all bear great fruit.”

Devorah is recognized throughout the law enforcement community, and especially within the FBI, as a vital asset in our fight against terrorism. She conducts training sessions throughout the country at colleges and universities and within the law enforcement community. Accepting no compensation, Devorah teaches how to see through a victim’s perspective, instructing on extremism and how to look for subtle clues to connect the dots in preventing future incidents of terror.

FBI Assistant Director in Charge (ADIC) Joseph Demarest, in presenting this evening’s award, said, “We are honored to recognize a true fighter against terrorism. A woman who has demonstrated an endless pursuit of justice, everlasting love for her family, dedication for victim’s rights and patriotism for her country. It is with heartfelt gratitude on behalf of everyone at the FBI that we present to you the Director’s Community Leadership Award.”

The Honorable Michael Mukasey added, “It is an honor to be here tonight to recognize someone who has dedicated her life to a cause as great as this. In today’s complex world, the war against terrorism must be confronted not only abroad, but within our borders as well. Education, acceptance, and determination are our greatest assets as we more forward. Devorah Halberstam is a true example of the strength of our nation.”

The Honorable Rudolph Giuliani stated, “Having known Devorah for many years, her dedication to protect our citizens and most importantly our children is admirable. She is a beacon to the community and has taught us all about the horrible affects of terrorism on our country.”

In accepting her award, Devorah Halberstam made the following remarks, “I am humbled to be receiving the Director’s Community Leadership Award. It demonstrates the unique partnership that has developed over the last decade between myself, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Justice Department in the ongoing battle against international terrorism.”

Text of Devorah’s Speech:

Assistant Director in charge Joseph Demarest, Judge Mukasey, Mayor Giuliani, Tom Donlon, Judge Sweeney, Consul General of Israel Asaf Sharif, Chief Fox, Judge Mary Odonoghue, Chauncy Parker, Chief Pizutti, and all my dear friends and distinguished guests. Especially my darling children and grandchildren.

It is an enormous honor for me to be the recipient of the FBI Director’s Community Leadership Award. And I thank the director in charge of the New York office, my good friend and colleague, Joseph Demarest, for this rare and most meaningful tribute. I thank all of you for sharing this humbling experience with me.

When I first met Jo, we met an undisclosed location and when we parted Jo said to me in his classic FBI poker face “Devorah now you know where we are, we will have to kill you now”. When I met you a few years back, you were heading the counterterrorism division of the New York field office. I saw the fire in your eyes right then. I met a kindred spirit in Jo. I knew Jo Demarest was a visionary, he saw the big picture and his loyalty to our country and this office was extraordinary. You don’t know how devastating it was to see you leave for personal reasons for a time to go into the private sector. But when I heard that you came back home and was the ADIC of the New York office, I was so thrilled and excited. I want you all to know that this man is one of the best people you want running the New York field office. He is an innovator, and a visionary and his loyalty is second to none. He is 24/7 working and he has already made enormous changes. Good changes. Changes that will protect our country, our children and our future. He has an uncanny ability to see outside the box. When I was down in Washington recently and was speaking to Director Muller, we spoke about Jo. He too was so grateful that Jo was running the New York office and he told me so. So Jo, this award is special especially because it comes from you.

Special Agent in charge, Gregg Fowler is a special agent in charge, but you should know 9/11 is 1 of 3000 2 of 3000, thank you for your eyes and ears in all the right places. Asac Ritchie Frankel, all smiles but he takes nothing for granted and checks out every lead. Asac George Venizelos,. and all the special agents in charge that are here tonight. Thank you for your friendship, partnership and hard work.

And Stacey Diamond, special agent in charge of Devorah Halberstam, how can I thank you enough and the whole office of public affairs for tonight. She has spent weeks on putting this evening together and missed nothing. From the guest list, to the room, to the food. I see it all Stacey and I love you for it.

But the truth is I wish I were not here today. Indeed I am sure all of us wish we could turn back the clock, and use our hindsight to prevent the chain of events that resulted in our being here at this moment.

Had we known then what we know now – my son Ari would be alive. Instead of receiving this award, I would be playing Grandmother to his children. No award, no honor, no recognition can replace a precious, innocent, beautiful child gunned down in cold blood by murderous organized, international terror.

Had we known then what we know now, the global nightmare of 9/11 and its aftermath might have been thwarted, and thousands of innocent victims would still be going about their business in the Twin Towers.

Had we known then what we know now, our beloved United States of America might not have found itself bogged down in the trenches of Iraq and Afghanistan, and our boys and girls would not be paying – with their lives – for our freedom.

I love this country with all my heart. Because that is how my parents raised me. And that is how The Rebbe, Grand Rabbi Schneersohn, of saintly memory – who was my inspiration – taught me. Because the underpinning of America. The basis of our society’s greatness is its sense of justice – justice for victims and justice through the eyes of law enforcement officials who confront and overcome incredible difficulties in their war against terror.

But the sad truth is none of us are prophets. The best we can do is make sure our hindsight is not deficient and that we know how to learn from the mistakes of the past so that history does not repeat itself.

I am proud of the FBI and I am proud of my long and deep association with this agency. I am proud that this agency and law enforcement, including our local and state law enforcement helped me transform my grief and channel it into helping them in our battle fighting terrorism.

As you know, it wasn’t always this way. We did not always see eye to eye. The FBI has come a long way from the days they called the Brooklyn Bridge shooting “road rage” and the isolated act of a disgruntled loner and acknowledging that Ari’s murder was part of an organized cell of Islamic terrorists, linked to Hamas, and operating out of Gaza and the West Bank. And documenting it only three days before 9/11, Even more unnerving was that the then Director of the FBI, Louis Freeh was to be receiving the Ari Halberstam Memorial Award at our annual Museum dinner, on September 12, 2001. But you all know what happened then.

Today things are very different, as the FBI stands at the very forefront, mounting the barricades in its vigilant battle to protect Americans everywhere from the very real and present scourge of Islamic terror on our home turf.

We need to continue to close the loopholes in the laws of every state, loopholes that limit its ability to protect America’s citizens.

I am grateful to G-d that I found the strength to rise from the mourner’s chair in order to dedicate my life to safeguarding the country that has been a safe haven for freedom-loving people – and for my family since my great-grandfather arrived in 1880. Until Ari’s murder which was a crime against humanity because it is part of a global attempt to destroy humanity and all core human values.

I have spent over a decade sitting in many courtrooms, before many judges seeking justice for son. I learned about the criminal justice system from both sides of the aisle, as a victim and through the eyes of law enforcement.

Ari was not just robbed of his life. He was robbed of everything America stands for – life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

We are about to celebrate the holiday of Chanukah – which commemorates and celebrates the very idea of freedom from tyranny and oppression, and the victory of the few over the many. The story of Chanukah and the ancient Israelites over the mighty Syrian forces was a true precursor of the American Revolution which gave us the precious freedom that is today imperiled.

Chanukah is also the anniversary of the conviction of Rashid Baz, the terrorist who murdered my Ari. Knowing he will anguish in jail is small solace for me. But it is symbolic at least that this enemy of the Jewish People and of humankind had his own fate sealed at this auspicious time.

If I have one message for you today, one plea, it is this. The single biggest threat to America is not international Islamic terror. The biggest danger is when we allow a misguided sense of political correctness to prevent us from identifying the real threat and calling it by its real name.

I am afraid that Western Europe has already sacrificed its future on the altar of postmodernism and political correctness. By not recognizing the endemic and systemic cancer of Islamo-fascism that is metastasizing in its midst, Europe has abdicated any hope for a free and democratic future.

Here in America there is likewise an impulse – whether in academia or otherwise – to ignore the real and present danger of Islamo-fascism within our own borders.

I am by no means painting with a broad brush. I have no doubt that most people prefer to live quiet lives in peace and dignity. But the fact is, terror today is a virtual monopoly that wields its bloody sword in the name of religion. And if we ignore this fact we ignore it at our own peril.

If today’s award is to have any real meaning, it is my fervent hope and prayer that America will not get lost in the fog of muddled thinking and misguided sensitivities. Let freedom ring, loud and clear. Let us make sure that everyone who shares our belief in liberty and the sanctity of human life is protected. And let all others be ware.

Thank You