Hero, 88, says it’s high time for change
Viewed through the lens of 150 years, Bennett is not a sympathetic figure, Mindich said. But his influence on journalism can’t be underestimated.
“He did away with partisan papers funded by political parties. He created the concept of an observational, independent press — he was one of the great leaders of journalism,” Mindich said.
A statue of Bennett stands in Herald Square, and could be part of Mayor de Blasio’s 90-day review of “symbols of hate” on city property.
The mayor ordered the review after a “Unite the Right” rally led by white nationalist groups in Charlottesville, Va., sparked a national and local debate on the future of Confederate statues and other monuments to public figures out of step with today’s standards.
The city hasn’t yet specified which symbols will make the list.
There’s also a James Gordon Bennett Memorial Foundation, established in 1919 — the year after the death of his son James Gordon Bennett Jr. — that awards journalism scholarships to this day, with board members that have come from The News and other city dailies.
For the past 30 years or so, the FDNY’s James Gordon Bennett award has been funded by the Fire Foundation, a private group formed by business leaders in 1968. Although the Bennett medal was set up with a deed and trust, proceeds from its original $1,500 ran out long ago.
The FDNY told The News it was not aware of the checkered history surrounding the 148-year-old medal.
“This issue ... had not been brought to the department’s attention in the past. But now that it has, we will certainly look into it,” an FDNY spokesman said.
Tempro, who served 32 years in the Fire Department and counts many friends among the Bravest, said he doesn’t want to detract from the honor of those who won the medal in the past.
“The award carries great meaning to firefighters,” said the former Air Force veteran, who entered the military when troops were still segregated.
Years ago, Tempro used to go with Jimmy Boyle, former president of the Uniformed Firefighters Association, to visit firehouses. The two found that the award was an effective icebreaker.
“Some of the guys would kind of eye me a little funny,” he said. “But Boyle would clap his hand on my shoulder and introduce me, he’d say, ‘This is Jimmy, he’s my Gordon Bennett man,’ and it changed how they saw me. And now, in my opinion, it’s time to change the name.”