Renaming Community Center ensures legacy of slain journalist Jim Foley lives on

The renaming ceremony will be held at the Rochester Community Center on May 4; inset, James Foley, who worked in warzones around the world, including Libya and Syria. (Courtesy photos)

ROCHESTER - The Rochester Community Center is about to be renamed in honor of slain journalist James W. Foley.

City Mayor Caroline McCarley announced during Tuesday night's City Council meeting that a renaming ceremony will be held on May 4.

"James Foley was a phenomenal journalist who gave voice to people in wartorn places around the world, and we are delighted to be able to this," she said.

The Community Center has seen substantial upgrades and renovation over the past several months and will soon be the new home of the city's tax office. Its new name will be the James W. Foley Memorial Community Center,

Foley's mother, 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 public and videotaped beheading in August of 2014.

In 2018 James Foley was awarded the Life and Liberty Award during a ceremony at the New Hampshire Supreme Court in Concord.

Foley, a freelance 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.

Diane Foley said the family was thankful for the renaming.

"Our entire family is so deeply honored by the City of Rochester to have Jim remembered in such a meaningful way," she said.