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Community Center dedication in slain journalist's name means 'his legacy lives on'

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Diane and John Foley, the parents of James Foley, share a private moment during the unveiling of a portrait of their son that adorns the wall near the entrance of the James W. Foley Memorial Community Center on Tuesday. (Rochester Voice photos)

ROCHESTER - The mother of slain journalist James Foley said the naming of the Community Center in his name is a testament to both his legacy and the people of Rochester who made it happen.

About 40 guests from the public, city officials and the extended Foley family were on hand for the official dedication of the James W. Foley Memorial Community Center on Tuesday afternoon, with James' mother, Diane, calling the center "a vibrant place where people have fun."

Diane and John Foley look on as Rochester Mayor Caroline McCarley speaks to a crowd during the dedication and ribbon cutting of The James W. Foley Memorial Community Center Tuesday.

"This is the life of the city," she said. "Jim was a kind man and so I thank you, the people of Rochester, for being kind to him with this tribute."

The dedication and ribbon cutting was followed by the unveiling of a portrait of James Foley replicated from one of the pictures taken during his work as a conflict journalist that took him all over the world, including some of the most dangerous places on earth like Libya and Syria.

The painting adorns the wall at the Wakefield Street entrance, which is now the main entrance to the building.

"How do we keep his indomitable spirit for journalism and the safety of journalists and those taken hostage? By things like this," Diane Foley added.

The City Council approved its renaming to the James W. Foley Memorial Community Center at its April 6 meeting during which Mayor Caroline McCarley announced the formal ceremony.
Diane Foley, who lives in Rochester, has been a tireless advocate for protections for journalists after her son was killed by Isis militants during a videotaped beheading in August 2014.
Foley, a freelance
conflict journalist and war correspondent, was beheaded by ISIS after nearly two years in captivity in northern Syria.

The James W. Foley Legacy Foundation was created the same year by his family to improve the safety and treatment of independent freelance conflict journalists, to advocate for the safe return of Americans kidnapped abroad and to improve U.S. hostage policy.

Foley, who was born in Illinois and grew up in Wolfeboro, was also kidnapped in Libya in 2011 where he was held 44 days before being released.

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