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1991.05.29 :  Awards -- Contributions to Older People

Contact:  Susan Long (202) 245-2760
May 29, 1991
     
       HHS Secretary Louis W. Sullivan, M.D., and U.S.
Commissioner on Aging Joyce T. Berry, Ph.D., today honored more
than 16 corporations for their contributions to the older people
of this country.
       The "Business and Aging Leadership Awards" were presented
on behalf of HHS to business leaders around the country for their
individual and collective efforts to improve the quality of life
for older Americans.  The awardees--representing a wide range of
industries, such as banking, utility companies, retail, insurance 
and manufacturing--were honored for such efforts as innovative
personnel policies that help meet the needs of family caregivers;
hiring older workers; establishing employee volunteer
opportunities; delivery of meals-on-wheels; and many others.
       "Business and other organizations are being challenged to
develop strategies that will help older people find needed
services, prevent unnecessary illness or disease and maximize the
talents and experience of the elderly for the benefit of
society," Secretary Sullivan said.  "These awards represent the
creative response of the business community to these issues."
       As we move toward the 21st Century, business will continue
to play an increasingly important role in building our nation's
capacity to respond to a growing older population," Commissioner
Berry said. 
       Two of the awards were presented to International Business
Machines and the Travelers Corporation, for their overall
leadership in fostering awareness of the needs of older people to
the business community. 
       IBM's William J. Colucci, vice president of personnel,
said,  "We at IBM are committed to providing employees and
retirees with the excellence they deserve in the programs that
address employment and training; work and family balancing; and
volunteerism/community service and health.  Meeting high
standards in each of these areas makes good business sense and
provides IBM with the flexibility to balance personal and
professional needs and helps communities where IBM does business
to be better places to live and to work."
     "We are honored to receive this prestigious award," said
Edward H. Budd, chairman and chief executive officer of the
Travelers Corporation.  "The aging of America's population
presents us with a number of social and economic challenges, as
well as great opportunities.   At the Travelers, we've learned
how much we can benefit from the rich pool of talent, experience
and productivity that exists among mature Americans."

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               Business and Aging Leadership Awards
                      Wednesday, May 29, 1991
                         Washington, D.C.

                             Awardees
             Aetna Life and Casualty, Hartford, Conn.
           Bull HN Information Systems, Billerica, Mass.
        Champion International Corporation, Stamford, Conn.
              Days Inn of America, Inc., Atlanta, Ga.
            D&W Food Centers, Inc., Grand Rapids, Mich.
            Florida Power & Light Company, Miami, Fla.
                 General Electric, Louisville, Ky.
                Herman Miller, Inc., Zeeland, Mich.
                   IBM Corporation, Armonk, N.Y.
           ITT Hartford Insurance Group, Hartford, Conn.
              McDonald's Corporation, Oak Brook, Ill.
              Polaroid Corporation, Cambridge, Mass.
        Puget Sound Power & Light Company, Bellevue, Wash.
             Southwest Gas Corporation, Phoenix, Ariz.
         The May Department Stores Company, St. Louis, Mo.
              Travelers Corporation, Hartford, Conn.

                        Special Recognition

              Bank of America, San Francisco, Calif.
                   Merrill-Lynch, New York, N.Y.
          Michigan National Bank, Farmington Hills, Mich.
          Phillips Petroleum Company, Bartlesville, Okla.
            Rockwell International, El Segundo, Calif.
              Smith Kline Beechem, Cidra, Puerto Rico
             Stride Rite Corporation, Cambridge, Mass.


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