NEWS RELEASE

City, County, State and Federal Representatives Endorse EPICC, Launch National Challenge

 Irvine Invites Cities Coast to Coast to ‘Get on Board’ to New York, Demonstrating Economic Patriotism

 IRVINE, CALIF. (October 10, 2001) – With abundant enthusiasm and unanimous support, a high-profile contingent of city, county, state and federal officials endorsed the EPICC project – Economic Patriotism in Irvine and Coast to Coast – and further challenged cities, states and Chambers of Commerce from throughout the nation to meet in New York City for a Veteran’s Day show of support for our country.

 “We are proud to lend the City’s unanimous support to this noble project. Irvine is a great American city, and our hope is to inspire hundreds of other great American cities and thousands of patriotic Americans to literally and figuratively ‘get on board’ and meet us in New York City for the Veteran’s Day Parade,” Irvine Mayor Larry Agran stated at a news conference today at John Wayne Airport.

U.S. Congressman Christopher Cox endorsed the project with a letter of support, which stated: “By your initiative, you are showing what the people of Orange County can do to help not only New York City but indeed the entire nation to deny the terrorists their goals of making us live in fear. Together, we can defeat terrorism,” Cox said.

EPICC, founded by Irvine businessman Mitch Goldstone, and Chris Mears, Mayor Pro Tem, City of Irvine, is designed to restore confidence in air travel and revive the wounded New York economy following the September 11 terrorist attacks.

“We launched a grass roots mission to show Irvine’s support for the people of New York. But because of the phenomenal response, this has evolved into an ‘EPICC’ endeavor,” said Goldstone, who maintains strong family ties in the Big Apple. “Therefore, we are enthusiastically challenging other cities, communities and chambers of commerce to fly to New York, support the City’s restaurants, theatres, museums and public transportation, and purchase tickets and gift certificates to share with rescue workers, volunteers and victims’ families.” 

Chris Mears, Mayor Pro-Tem, City of Irvine, is co-partnering the EPICC effort.  “We have The City of Irvine on board and hope other cities will join us in this patriotic endeavor, which is not only altruistic and patriotic, but personally rewarding and good for the soul. We will pack a plane with concerned citizens from all walks of life – families, business people, religious leaders, students and seniors who represent the abundant enthusiasm and rich diversity of the Irvine and Orange County community, including Muslim-Americans – and hope other cities will do the same as their endorsement of economic patriotism.”

Goldstone added that the project is endorsed by Mayor Rudolph Giuliani’s office, and by Jon Tisch, head of New York Rising, overseeing the city’s effort to regroup following the attacks.

“We expect our Irvine and Orange County delegation to be strong and spirited, ready to show its confidence in air travel, willing to support the beleaguered NYC economy, and eager to thank the rescue workers and volunteers,” said Jacquie Ellis, President, Irvine Chamber of Commerce.

Additional facts and a tentative itinerary are attached. Space for the EPICC trip is limited. For reservations and additional information, contact Mitch Goldstone at 949.474.7654 or info@epiccusa.com, or visit the EPICC Web site at www.epiccusa.com