The funds will primarily provide for the education of the children of firefighters, police officers and other uniformed emergency response personnel who lost their lives as a result of the attack. This part of the contribution will be channeled through one or more organizations.

Another portion of the contribution will go to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund to meet immediate needs in both New York City and Washington, D.C.

"The magnitude of the human suffering inflicted on innocent people through these senseless acts is almost beyond comprehension," said DuPont Chairman and CEO Charles O. Holliday, Jr. "Our hearts and prayers go out to the victims and their families. We hope that these donations can in some small way help the loved ones of these heroic individuals as they begin the long and painful process of healing and moving on with their lives."

Holliday said the company is giving the highest priority to producing materials and products used in disaster relief, recovery and rebuilding.

DuPont is also encouraging its employees to make individual donations to their local chapters of the Red Cross, the Blood Bank and United Way. Many DuPont sites across the nation are coordinating blood drives and other efforts in cooperation with local agencies.