Washington, D.C.—U.S. Secretary of Commerce Don Evans today welcomed the creation of the Corporate Stewardship Award. The award grew out of the Secretary’s vision to spotlight and celebrate the accomplishments and good corporate practices of American businesses around the world. The award will be given by the Center for Corporate Citizenship (CCC) of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and will be presented by Secretary Evans on December 4, 2003 in Washington, D.C. during the Center’s Annual Corporate Citizenship Award Ceremony.

“This award is intended to recognize and celebrate small, medium and large businesses that balance their responsibilities to their employees and shareholders with their responsibilities to their communities,” said Evans. “American businesses are the stewards of capitalism and our economic system. This designation will celebrate those in the private sector that understand their responsibility to our economy and heed President Bush’s call to serve others.”

"By including volunteer service as a criterion for the Corporate Stewardship Award, we can recognize the American companies who are answering the President's call to service by making sustained commitments to our communities," said John Bridgeland, Director of the White House's USA Freedom Corps office. "It is through these commitments that we are able to build a stronger society and foster a culture of service, citizenship and responsibility that will last for decades to come."

Presented by the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Commerce, this Award seeks to recognize companies that exemplify the highest ideals of corporate stewardship. Corporate stewardship reflects a philosophy that emphasizes the proper use and allocation of a company’s resources and unites its ethical values and economic mission. As such, the Corporate Stewardship Award rewards companies for their total performance and contribution to economic, community and social progress. To be considered for the award, companies must demonstrate their commitment and accomplishments in categories that include service and volunteerism, business ethics, corporate governance and the environment. Award candidates must submit their application along with other relevant documentation to the CCC by October 3, 2003.

CRITERIA FOR THE CORPORATE STEWARDSHIP AWARD

1. Financial Results
   • Above average economic performance for the most recent five year period as compared to the rate of return for the S&P 500 Index
2. Business Ethics
   • Corporate statement of values or ethical credo
3. Employees
   • Jobs created over 5 year period
   • Documentation of employee health and safety benefits
   • Documentation of hiring diversity
   • Documentation of employee moral, job satisfaction, and employee retention
4. Customers
   • Documentation of customer service policy and practices
   • Strategic use of customer information systems to support decision making
5. Corporate Governance
   • Documentation of corporate governance policy and practices consistent with President Bush’s Ten Point plan to improve corporate responsibility and protect America’s shareholders
6. Worldwide Markets
   • Documentation of corporate engagement in overseas communities
   • Documentation of ethical supply chain management practices
7. Volunteer Service
   • Documentation of community involvement policy practices (i.e., Cash Grants, Volunteer Programs)
   • Senior management leadership and commitment
   • Documentation of Social Return on Investment (S-ROI) (if applicable)
   • System tracks employee volunteer service hours in employer-sponsored volunteer activities
   • 10% of employees should conduct at least 40 volunteer service hours in a calendar year
8. Environment
   • Documentation of corporate environmental policy and practices
9. Security
   • Documentation of corporate security procedures and risk management practices

The Secretary will present the award to three companies:

1. Annual revenues less than $50 million
2. Annual revenues between $50 million and $500 million
3. Annual revenues greater than $500 million

President Bush created the USA Freedom Corps office at the White House to foster an American culture of service, citizenship and responsibility. Through the USA Freedom Corps, President Bush wants to help every American answer the call to service by strengthening and expanding service opportunities to protect our homeland, support our communities and extend American compassion around the world. Interested volunteers can find information on the USA Freedom Corps at www.usafreedomcorps.gov or by calling 1-877-USA-CORPS.

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