Rewards for Justice

SENATE TRANSPORTATION CHAIRMAN PUTS CONNECTICUT MOTORISTS IN DRIVERS’ SEAT IN WAR AGAINST TERRORISM
Proceeds From Proposed “United We Stand” License Plate Will Benefit The Rewards for Justice Fund (www.RewardsFund.us) A Connecticut-based Anti-Terrorism Effort
Norwalk Non-Profit Assists U.S. State Department
For Immediate Release: December 20, 2001 Contact: Art Shulman Phone: (203)354-5130
HARTFORD, CT – Connecticut motorists will be able to help drive out terrorists simply by driving across town if a bill being introduced in the next Legislative session by State Senator Biagio “Billy” Ciotto (D-Westerfield) is passed. The bill would authorize a new United We Stand specialty license plate, the proceeds of which will benefit the Rewards for Justice Fund, a non-profit organization that raises funds for one of the U.S. government’s most effective anti-terrorist programs.
At a press conference held today at the State Capitol, Senator Ciotto said Connecticut can take a leadership role in the fight against terrorism by becoming the first state in America to respond to a challenge issued by the state of Florida last month when it authorized creation of a new, United We Stand anti-terrorism license plate. Legislation mandating the new plate was signed into law by Florida Gov. Jeb Bush on Nov. 30.
“Connecticut has led the way in providing funds for the victims of September 11 and their families. Now I want to give the people of Connecticut the opportunity to lead the country again, by providing funds that will help our government actually catch these cowardly terrorists,” Ciotto said. “By buying a United We Stand Rewards for Justice license plate, every Connecticut motorist will be able to do just that.”
If the bill is passed and signed into law, Connecticut motorists would be able to obtain a United We Stand license plate by paying $50 above the normal vehicle registration fee, which averages $80. This amount is consistent with the fee charged for other Connecticut specialty license plates, such as the state’s popular “Preserve the Sound” license plate. By paying $70 above the normal registration fee, motorists would be able to obtain a United We Stand plate, and customize it with their own selection of up to six letters and/or numbers.
As currently proposed, 100 percent of the proceeds raised via each $50 or $70 additional registration fee would go to the Rewards for Justice Fund (www.RewardsFund.us).
The Rewards for Justice Fund is a private, non-profit organization formed in the days following the Sept. 11 attacks, specifically to raise funds that support the U.S. State Department’s Rewards for Justice Program, one of the nation’s most effective anti-terrorism endeavors. The Norwalk-based Fund, which was founded by two Connecticut businessmen, Scott Case and Joe Rutledge, turns 100 percent of the money it raises from the public over to the State Department’s Rewards for Justice Program.
“Connecticut motorists want to know what they can do to contribute to the war against terrorists,” said Case, co-founder of the Rewards for Justice Fund. “This measure proposed by Senator Ciotto represents a tremendous way for every Connecticut driver to get involved, support this country’s fight against terrorism, and truly make a difference.”
“Here in Connecticut few of us can turn plowshares into swords, but we can do the next best thing by turning our license plates into weapons in the war on terrorism,” said Rutledge. “We’re grateful to Senator Ciotto and his colleagues for creating this opportunity.”
The State Department’s Rewards for Justice Program is a highly successful effort that uses reward payments to identify and apprehend individuals who are planning, or have committed, terrorist acts. Since its establishment in 1984, the Rewards for Justice Program has played a key role in the apprehension of dozens of terrorists around the world, including Ramzi Ahmed Yousef, who is now behind bars for his role in the 1993 bombing of the WorldTradeCenter.
While the bill authorizing the new United We Stand license plate makes it way through the Legislature, Connecticut motorists can show their support for the bill and pre-register for a new plate by logging onto www.RewardsFund.us. Motorists in Florida, which adopted a United We Stand license plate two months ago, have streamed to the web site to sign up for the plates.
In addition to registering for a new United We Stand license plate, Connecticut residents, like all Americans, can also make a contribution directly to the Rewards for Justice Fund by logging onto www.RewardsFund.us, or by calling toll-free 1-877-392-7373 and making a donation with their credit card.
Case and Rutledge, both Connecticut residents, turned their anger and frustration over the Sept. 11 attacks into the Rewards for Justice Fund (www.RewardsFund.us), which has been authorized by the U.S. State Department to collect money from individual Americans who want to contribute to the war against terrorism.
Case, one of the founders of Norwalk-based Priceline.com, and Rutledge, a former TV and marketing executive who served as chief marketing officer for Priceline’s largest affiliate business, have also lent their Internet and marketing expertise to the State Department. The two were instrumental in redesigning the official Rewards for Justice Program web site (www.RewardsForJustice.net) and coordinating a new toll-free number (1-800-U.S.REWARDS), both of which allow Americans to provide critical leads and make donations. Case and Rutledge have also created compelling Internet ads and other media that rally Americans to take action in the war against terrorism.
About www.RewardsFund.us
Here's how the Rewards for Justice Fund works: Americans can log onto www.RewardsFund.us to make an online contribution to the Rewards for Justice Fund. Americans can also call 1-877-392-7373, or can send a check in the mail. Donations are tax-deductible, anonymous and secure. The Rewards for Justice Fund guarantees that no personal information will ever be given, sold or rented to any other individual, company or organization.
For more information on the Rewards for Justice Fund, please visit the web site at www.RewardsFund.us. For more information on the State Department's Rewards for Justice Program, visit its web site at www.RewardsForJustice.net.


For high-quality license plate images contact ashulman@RewardsFund.us For B-Roll and Sound Bites, contact ashulman@RewardsFund.us

"United We Stand" License Plates

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The Rewards for Justice Fund is a non-governmental, non-profit 501 (c) (3) charitable organization whose sole affiliation with the U.S. Department of State's Rewards for Justice Program is for the purpose of raising and providing private contributions for its use in the identification and apprehension of terrorists operating within the United States and abroad.

Unified Registration Statement (URS) For Charitable Org.

IRS 501(C)(3) Status
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