MEDIA ADVISORY FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Lori Sitler/Janice Fitzsimons

Phone: (302) 577-8314

Pager: (302) 247-1132

Date: October 8, 2004



FIRST STATE FORCE TO RECEIVE ARZT AWARD



(Dover, DE) - The First State Force, Delaware's all law enforcement rock band, will receive the 8th annual Arzt Award on Wednesday, October 13 at 8:00 p.m. at the Kick-Off Party for this year’s Rehoboth Beach Autumn Jazz Festival, now in its 15th year. The award is given to an individual or group that best exemplifies a positive message to children through music. The presentation will be held at The Bay Center, Ruddertown, Dewey Beach, Delaware.



Attorney General Jane Brady, who will be on hand with members of the band at the event and will accept the award on behalf of the group, said, “The members of the First State Force are the finest of Delaware’s finest. I am thrilled the Jazz Festival has chosen to honor the leadership and commitment of these individuals who are helping young people in Delaware make good choices.” 



The band members and sponsors are committed to reaching out to today's youth through music, giving young people an anti-drug, anti-violence message, and providing them with positive role models. The band performs at schools, youth events, and at other public functions to spread this message.



The First State Force is sponsored by the Office of the Attorney General, the Delaware Police Chiefs' Foundation, Sir Speedy of Dover, AIG, and MBNA and it receives other community support as well. The band is comprised of officers from the Department of Justice, the Delaware State Police, the Dover Police Department, the Milford Police Department, the Smyrna Police Department, the Lewes Police Department, the Delaware Department of Correction and the Wilmington Fire Department.



For more information on the band, visit their website at www.firststateforce.org. 

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