Tucson Community Members Starting a Scholarship Fund to Honor Christina-Taylor Green and Daniel Hernandez, Jr.

“Here’s a young man who had been interning with Rep. Gabrielle Giffords only five days and he put his life at risk to save her,” Phil Lyons said of Hernandez. “And the idea of a young girl losing her life just added to the sadness and tragedy of the entire situation.”

Phil Lyons, part owner of Chicago insurance firm New Century Planners LLC, and his wife, Carol, moved to Arizona in 1999. They spend their winters in Tucson and summers in Flagstaff. Providing this meaningful scholarship support is important to the philanthropic couple.

“I’m a huge believer in equality of opportunity,” Phil Lyons said. “I like the idea of doing something tangible that will affect, hopefully, a lot of lives.”

Born on Sept. 11, 2001, Christina-Taylor had reportedly shown an interest in civics and government from an early age. She had just been elected to the student council at her elementary school and attended Giffords’ “Congress on Your Corner” event to learn more about the political process.

Daniel, 20, is a political science junior in SGPP and was an intern for Giffords. when the tragedy struck. He ran toward the gunfire to stay with Giffords and administer first aid that probably saved her life. Hernandez has publicly stated since the tragedy that he thinks the “real heroes” are public servants like Congresswoman Giffords—people who dedicate their lives to helping others.

Due to both young people’s interest in government and the fact that Hernandez is a UA political science major, Phil Lyons thought establishing a scholarship designated for SGPP would be a fitting way to honor Christina-Taylor and Daniel.

“I can’t think of a more appropriate way to recognize two young people who have both moved us and inspired us,” said Brint Milward, SGPP director. “This scholarship will help many people who wish to go into public service. We are very grateful to Phil and Carol Lyons for a magnificent gift.”

The School of Government and Public Policy prepares men and women for leadership positions in the public and nonprofit sectors, as well as in private organizations that interact with government. SGPP is one of the largest units at the UA, with approximately 1,700 undergraduates, 96 Master of Public Administration students, and 28 doctoral students.

The Lyons’ encourage the community to contribute, as well. The couple will match the first $50,000 that comes in for the scholarship fund, and will then match an additional $50,000 for the next $150,000 that is donated. They hope the fund will get to a minimum of $250,000. The deadline for the gift match is Feb. 18.

HOW TO GIVE
If you would like to donate to the Christina-Taylor Green and Daniel Hernandez, Jr. Scholarship fund, you can:
1) Give online at www.cfsoaz.org.
2) Send a check to:
Community Foundation for Southern Arizona
In Honor of the Green-Hernandez Scholarship Fund
2250 E. Broadway Blvd.
Tucson, AZ 85719

For more information, please contact Evan Mendelson at emendelson@cfsoaz.org or (520) 770-0800 x119.

The Community Foundation for Southern Arizona is committed to working with charitably minded individuals and organizations to strengthen Southern Arizona communities, now and for generations to come. A public organization and a leading voice for innovative solutions in Southern Arizona with more than $93 million in assets, this foundation has allocated more than $100 million to the community since its founding in 1980. For more information call (520) 770-0800 or visit www.cfsoaz.org.