DES PLAINES, IL (February 7, 2001) -- The American Society of Safety Engineers Foundation (ASSEF) has been named in the will of ASSE Past President Tom Reilly. Reilly, who served from 1984-1985, has earmarked $10,000 for the Foundation.

Foundation Chair Edwin Granberry hopes Reilly's generosity will inspire other ASSE members to include bequests to the Foundation.

An active ASSE member, Reilly formed Reilly Associates Safety Consultants, Ltd in 1991 when he retired after 26 years as Director of Safety and Health of Schirmer Engineering based in Deerfield, Illinois. He also recently chaired the 1264 Protection of Floor & Wall Openings Standards committee and was a member of the Technical/Professional Recognition Committee. Noting that ASSE had been good to him through the years, Reilly says the bequest is his way of returning the favor and giving something back to the Society.

Reilly says his gift will establish a named scholarship, because with six children of his own, he has a genuine love for students. During his four-year term as Region V Vice President, he started nine student sections. He says he enjoys watching students he "mentored grow and prosper." He feels these students are the future of the Society and the profession. Reilly is amused that as his students grew in their careers, he hired and helped some, while even others hired him for consulting services.

Through its programs the ASSEF is committed to ensuring the future of occupational safety and health by providing financial resources to individuals and organizations. Each year the Foundation awards funds for applied safety research, scholarships, fellowships, internships and professional development. The ASSEF was established in 1990 to provide professional development and financial resources to qualified individuals and non-profit organizations. The Foundation seeks to advance safety and health development and research and education in the public interest.

Founded in 1911, the non-profit ASSE is the world's largest and oldest professional safety organization. Its 33,000 members located throughout the U.S. and the world, manage, supervise, research and consult on safety, health, transportation and environmental issues in industry, government, education and insurance.