CHARLOTTE, N.C. — An emotional speech by New York Fire Chief Richard Picciotto drew a packed house of more than 1,100 Friday morning at the Charlotte Convention Center.

Picciotto is the highest-ranking firefighter to survive the World Trade Center collapse on Sept. 11, 2001. The Hood Hargett Breakfast Club brought him to Charlotte in its effort to raise more than $100,000 in scholarship money for the children of local public-service professionals such as firefighters and police officers ... Full Story