DaimlerChrysler Executive Honored by National AIDS Organization AUBURN HILLS, Mich., Oct. 7 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The National Black Leadership Commission on AIDS (NBLCA) awarded its highest honor, the Choose Life Award, to DaimlerChrysler Senior Vice President -- External Affairs and Public Policy (Auburn Hills) Frank Fountain at its annual gala Wednesday, October 6, in New York. Fountain, who also serves as president of the company's philanthropic organization, received the prestigious award in recognition of his outstanding efforts in the fight against HIV/AIDS. Fountain was recognized for his active role to lead and support the fight against HIV/AIDS by participating in the Michigan AIDS Fund, the AIDS Partnership Michigan, the American Foundation for AIDS Research, the AIDS Consortium of Atlanta and the AIDS Walk Michigan. He also serves as Chair of the Board of Directors for the Corporate Council on Africa, a non-profit organization comprised of American companies at the forefront in the fight against HIV/AIDS in Africa. "I am honored and humbled to receive this recognition from the National Black Leadership Commission on AIDS," said Fountain. "HIV/AIDS is an epidemic that requires work, resources and action from every nation, enterprise and individual to impede and reverse its gruesome progress." In addition to serving as Senior Vice President, Fountain also is President of the DaimlerChrysler Corporation Fund, which donated $22 million to charitable organizations in 2003. He holds a bachelor's degree in history and political science from Hampton University and an MBA from the University of Pennsylvania Wharton School. NBLCA annually hosts the Choose Life Award Benefit Gala to bring together international leaders, advocates and celebrities to demonstrate collective support of this global effort. Along with Fountain, Bob Lanier with the National Basketball Association, GlaxoSmithKline and Anna Carbonell with WNBC- TV New York, also were bestowed awards. As one of the first companies with operations in South Africa to react to the HIV/AIDS threat, DaimlerChrysler has created progressive and comprehensive wellness and health care programs to help people in South Africa and around the world. In 2002, DaimlerChrysler Chairman Juergen Schrempp, was recognized by the Global Business Coalition for the company's solid record of achievement in addressing the rapid growth of the AIDS/HIV epidemic in South Africa. Recently, the company built a $200 million factory in South Africa, one of the largest private-sector investments in southern Africa in many years. The NBLCA informs, coordinates and organizes the volunteer efforts of the indigenous Black leadership, including clergy, elected officials, medical practitioners, business professionals, social policy experts, and the media, to meet the challenge of fighting HIV/AIDS in their communities. The NBLCA conducts policy, research and advocacy on HIV and AIDS to ensure effective participation of Black leadership in policy and resource allocation decisions at the national, state and local levels. DATASOURCE: DaimlerChrysler CONTACT: Angela Ford, +1-248-512-2986, or David Elshoff, +1-248-512-2690, both of Chrysler Group Web site: http://www.media.daimlerchrysler.com/

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