Dear Friends:

     It was with great sorrow that I received the news of William J. Fling's passing. This significant loss will be felt not only within the local Republican community, but also among New Yorkers of every idological bent.

     Bill Fling was a living, breathing antidote to political cynicism. Whether registering voters at street fairs (Somehow he always managed to sign up three Republicans for every four applicants!), organizing graffiti removal projects, or convincing Republican candidates to run in challenging districts, Fling inspired his peers to take a personal interest in their neighborhood, city, and nation.

     Ayn Rand, whose faith in the individual jibed perfectly with Fling's worldview, said, "Throughout the centuries there were men who took first steps, down new roads, armed with nothing but their own vision." Today we mourn the death of such a man, a man whose vision for a better New York has come to pass thanks to a lifetime of tireless effort. He will be dearly missed.