June 19, 2008 (New York, NY) - As part of its All-Star salute to New York City, which is hosting the 79th All-Star Game at Yankee Stadium on Tuesday July 15th, Major League Baseball will place a series of 42 MLB-decorated Statue of Liberty replicas around the city. The American League and National League statues will be on exhibit at two of the most popular destinations in the Big Apple-the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island.

Each eight and a half foot tall statue is uniquely adorned with bold graphics featuring the 30 MLB Clubs, Brooklyn Dodgers, New York Giants, four All-Star statues, and statues commemorating the final season of Yankee and Shea stadiums. They will be on display at locations throughout New York City by June 23 and remain on view until the week after the All-Star Game. Liberty Island will host the American League statue and Ellis Island the National League statue.

Nine-inch replicas as well as t-shirts featuring the All-Star Statues are available for purchase. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of the replicas and t-shirts benefits The Statue of Liberty-Ellis Island Foundation, Inc., the non-profit organization founded in 1982 to raise funds for and oversee the historic restorations of the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island.

“What can be better than pairing America's favorite pastime with America's most beloved icon?” says Tommy Lasorda, legendary manager of the Los Angeles Dodgers and Foundation board member. “And knowing this helps to support Lady Liberty and Ellis Island, where my father entered this great country, makes it even more fantastic.”

A must-have for baseball fans young and old alike, these distinctive MLB All-Star Statue replicas are available online at www.statueofliberty.org and www.ellisisland.org.

To see the American League and National League statues, visit Liberty and Ellis islands or view them online at http://www.statueofliberty.org/mlb.html.

About The Statue of Liberty-Ellis Island Foundation, Inc.
The Statue of Liberty-Ellis Island Foundation, Inc. is a non-profit organization founded in 1982 to raise funds for and oversee the historic restorations of the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, working in partnership with the National Park Service/U.S. Department of the Interior. In addition to restoring the monuments, the Foundation created a museum in the Statue’s base and the world-class Ellis Island Immigration Museum, The American Immigrant Wall of Honor® and the American Family Immigration History Center®. Its endowment has funded over 200 projects at the islands.


CONTACT:
Peg Zitko (212-561-4517)
pzitko@ellisisland.org