Press Release

ONTARIO, CA (January 22, 2004) – The Christian Okoye Foundation and Outback Steakhouse will host a tribute luncheon for the thousands of firefighters who fought the Grand Prix Fire and Old Fire in the Inland Empire areas this Tuesday, January 27, at the Ontario Convention Center. The fires raged through the Inland Empire and surrounding areas between October 25 and November 14, 2003.

"Nothing pleases me more than to be able to recognize the local heroes who help protect the homes and lives of citizens daily," said Christian Okoye, founder of The Christian Okoye Foundation. "As a resident of a city affected by the fires this fall, I feel that communities need to gather together to show support of the men and women who worked around the clock, despite danger and exhaustion, to protect our families."

Firefighters from the Los Angeles, San Bernardino, and Riverside Counties have been invited by special invitation for the afternoon's festivities at the Convention Center. More than 1,500 are scheduled to be in attendance. A traditional "Ringing of the Bell" ceremony will be given for Steven Rucker, the one firefighter who died as a result of the fires.

More than 75 sports and entertainment celebrities, as well as various political figures are also scheduled to be attendance. The current list of celebrities includes: Christian Okoye, Marcus Allen, Jason Giambi, Jeremy Giambi, Jay Johnstone, Paul Caligiuri, Napolean McCallum, Jim Tracy, Mike Powell, members from the USA Olympic Gold Medal Softball Team 1996 & 2000, Marlin Brisco, Chris Hale, Fred Williamson, Tyrone Montgomery, original members from A League of Their Own, Reggie Doss, Richard Roundtree, Tommy Davis and many others.

The Firefighter's Tribute Luncheon is scheduled from noon to 3 p.m. at the Ontario Convention Center. The event is not open to the public. For questions about event, please call (909) 481-3541 or (909) 317-1720.

Christian Okoye, Rancho Cucamonga resident and former All-Pro running back for the Kansas City Chiefs, created Okoye Fitness and Nutrition to help individuals redesign their health, fitness and nutrition. In 1990, The Christian Okoye Foundation was created to help underprivileged children assume their roll in society. For more information, please visit their website at www.okoyefoundation.org.

For more information on the Grand Prix fire, please visit www.esri.com/jicfire/fireinfo/grandprixfire.html.

For more information on the Old Fire, please visit www.esri.com/jicfire/fireinfo/oldfire.html.