On December 22nd, Frank Siller, Chairman and CEO of the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation heard N.Y. Governor Andrew Cuomo’s comments outside of Officer Liu’s home, raising concerns that the family of NYPD Officer Wenjian Liu is left with practical questions like, “how do they now pay the mortgage on the house?" Siller immediately knew it was in keeping with the mission of the Tunnel to Towers Foundation to assume the mortgage payments on the homes of NYPD Officer Liu and Officer Rafael Ramos.

Said Siller, "When my brother Stephen died on 9/11 along with 342 other firefighters, our family decided that the best way to honor his memory was by supporting first responders. This--and the fact that for the last several years, Tunnel to Towers has been building 'smart homes' for those catastrophically injured in war--makes it fitting that in recognition of the sacrifice of these fallen officers, we ensure that their family homes are financially secure."

“In times of need and pain, the family of New York always comes together to support each other and following this senseless murder of two of New York’s finest it is heartwarming and commendable for the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation to step in with such generosity,” said Governor Andrew M. Cuomo. “In the darkest of times, the strength and spirit of community of New Yorkers shines the brightest. During this Holiday season this act of generosity will ensure both the Ramos and Liu families no longer have to worry about how to cover the mortgage payments on their homes. By coming together, we help honor the memory of these fallen heroes.”

For more information on the Tunnel to Towers Foundation, and the scope of its work--from providing millions of dollars in relief services and rebuilding homes after Hurricane Sandy, to its annual Tunnel to Towers Run that attracts 25,000 participants from around the world, to its Building for America's Bravest program, please go to tunnel2towers.org. The website will be live by 5 p.m. today to accept donations directed solely to the families of Officers Liu and Ramos towards the purchase of their homes. The Tunnel to Towers Foundation will be holding a press conference on Friday December 26th to provide more details.