Terrorism expert speaks at Tree of Life award dinner

Real Estate Weekly, May 7, 2003

Steven Emerson, internationally recognized expert on terrorism and national security and author of American Jihad, addressed the impact of terrorism on real estate at the Jewish National Fund Tree of Life(tm) Award Dinner honoring real estate banker and philanthropist William C. McCahill for his exceptional contribution to the Jewish community and the land of Israel. Sen. Chuck E. Schumer (D-NY) served as honorary dinner chairman.

The JNF Tree of Life(tm) Award Dinner was held April 8 at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York City.

Emerson is an internationally recognized journalist, authority on terrorism and national security and the executive director of The Investigative Project, the nation's largest archival data and intelligence on Islamic and Middle Eastern terrorist groups. Emerson established The Investigative Project in late 1995, following the broadcast on PBS of his award-winning documentary film, "Jihad in America," which exposed the clandestine operations of militant Islamic terrorist groups on American soil.

He is most recently the author of the national best seller, "American Jihad: The Terrorists Living Among Us" (Free Press) and currently serves as NBC's terrorism analyst. Since Sept. 11, 2001, Emerson has appeared frequently on network television and has been quoted or cited hundreds of times in the nation's top newspapers. Emerson and his institute have also given numerous briefings to Congress, the White House, the Justice Department and other federal agencies.

JNF Tree of Life(tm) Award Honoree William C. McCahill, Jr. is responsible for a portfolio of $3 billion in commitments for Fleet Bank and for new business development throughout New York City and Long Island. Prior to joining Fleet Bank in 1993, he was senior vice president - New York regional executive at Chase Manhattan Bank, N.A. He has been honored for his humanitarian and philanthropic efforts by the National Jewish Hospital, Albert Einstein College, the Joseph Kushner Hebrew Academy, Lincoln Center and Israel Bonds.

For the past 20 years, McCahill has been involved with Israel Bonds' Real Estate and Construction Division and Lincoln Center's Real Estate and Construction Council. He is governor of the Real Estate Board of New York, a director of the New York City Housing Partnership and a full member of the Urban Land Institute. In communal life, McCahill serves as treasurer of the Children's Hearing Institute, Director of Neighborhood Housing' Services and a Council member of Lincoln Center's Real Estate Division.

The Tree of Life(tm) Award is a humanitarian award that INF presents to individuals in appreciation of their outstanding community involvement, their dedication to the cause of American-Israeli friendship, and their devotion to peace and the security of human life.

The award recognizes leaders for their achievements and innovations in industry, government and education. Past honorees include Stephen M. Ross, Donald Trump, Elizabeth Dole, Secretary of State Colin Powell, Secretary Thomas Ridge, Jeffrey E. Levine, Steven Goodstein, Benjamin D. Holloway, the late Isaac Stern, Mortimer Zuckerman, former vice president Al Gore, N. Richard Kalikow, and Peter S. Kalikow.