Garden City resident and New York State Senator Kemp Hannon was on hand at the recent 1998 Folio (Focus on Long Island Operations) Awards Luncheon for Excellence in Broadcast Journalism presented by the Long Island Coalition for Fair Broadcasting. Garden City was also represented at this prestigious event by their representative in the United States Congress, Congresswoman Carolyn McCarthy. The Honorable Kemp Hannon, representing the 6th District in New York State, stood before the hundreds of attendees from universities across Long Island, businesses, and the press corps. and demonstrated the interconnection between residents of communities like Garden City, politics, and the media as he represented the first two groups and handed the awards to broadcast journalists for their stories covering Long Island issues.

Hannon and McCarthy both dined on the dais with Masters of Ceremonies Lyn Brown of Fox, Maurice DuBois (who also grew up here on Long Island) of NBC, Kaity Tong of the WB, Ernie Anastos of WWOR, Stephen Clark of WCBS, executives from the networks, and Keynote Speaker Peter Jennings. Hannon and McCarthy both had the honor of sharing the spotlight with the anchor and senior editor of ABC News' World News Tonight. As the 35 year veteran of television journalism spoke about developments in NATO, the conflict with Iraq, and the Kenneth Starr investigations and how they present challenges to the media in determining how best to cover these stories, watching figures such as Congresswoman McCarthy, a resident of neighboring Mineola, and Garden City's voice in Congress, who has herself been the subject of so much media attention, sit and listen to this eloquent speech was certainly intriguing for the audience.

Peter Jennings has played a significant role in the development of broadcast journalism. He covered the construction of the Berlin Wall in the 1960s and its fall in the 1990s. He has traveled to South Africa to cover the political and social struggles there as well as the conflicts in Bosnia and the Middle East. He himself has won 12 Emmys, several Alfred I. duPont-Columbia University Awards, several Overseas Press Club Awards, and a George Foster Peabody Award, which only made his speaking at Long Island's premier awards ceremony for journalism that much more significant. His distinguished demeanor and eloquent speech lent impressive support to the proceedings and the Long Island Coalition for Fair Broadcasting as a whole.

The Coaltion, based in Garden City, is a not-for-profit organization which believes in remaining non-partisan. Abby Kenigsberg, the executive director of the Coalition stated during the luncheon that both she and the Coalition believe in honoring those members of the press who reflect on such questions as, "Is this story excessive? Does that one intrude unnecessarily? Are some others overblown or under-investigated?" The Coalition, as explained by Kenigsberg, stands by the Society of Professional Journalists' Code of Ethics which dictates, "Seek the truth and report it; minimize harm; act independently; and be accountable."

Sean Fanelli, president of Nassau Community College in Garden City, served as the chair of the TV Panel. He commented, "Judging the FOLIO entrants is like watching the daily history of Long Island unfold before our eyes. The judges' panel spends many hours deciding who tells the story in the most interesting and professional way. It was often nearly impossible to select winners because of the fine work of many talented reporters, producers, and technical professionals. Despite the difficulty, it is always fascinating because of the diligence and insight of my fellow judges. They made an impossible job stimulating and satisfying."

Awards were given for coverage of government and politics, election issues, public affairs, consumer issues, investigative reporting, series presentations, science and health, public service announcements, education and religion, the arts, the environment, economy/business/labor, multi-cultural issues, human interest stories, and community service. NY's top Long Island correspondents were awarded these prestigious awards by the Coalition and presenters Hannon and McCarthy. As the stories that touch the lives of Long Island residents were awarded, the very politicians involved in dealing with some of these issue, who represent the Village of Garden City were there to commend them and to show their support for fair broadcasting of local stories.

As the luncheon at the Crest Hollow Country Club at Woodbury came to a close, Senator Hannon and Congresswoman McCarthy stepped off the dais to meet and greet the media personalities that cover them and the constituents whom they represent. It was an afternoon of reflection as well as Jennings spoke and the principles of the Long Island Coalition for Fair Broadcasting were discussed by the various speakers. Each guest was given the opportunity to see each part of the news process represented: those who make the news like the polticians present, those who present the news, and those who monitor the excellence of these presentations.