Verizon Wireless Named "Workplace Model of Excellence" by the Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Coalition

WASHINGTON, DC — For the second consecutive year, Verizon Wireless has been named a "Workplace Model of Excellence" award winner by the National Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Coalition (HMHB), the leading coalition on maternal and child health issues. The company will be honored at an awards ceremony in Washington, D.C., on May 20, 2004 in the Cannon House Caucus Room on Capitol Hill.

According to the coalition, Verizon Wireless is being recognized for the unique way the company uses technology to promote family health education for its employees. Through teleconferencing and a company Intranet system, working parents at Verizon Wireless have access to critical information on motherhood and fatherhood, maternal and child health, premature births, stress management, prenatal nutrition and other important issues for family wellness.

Anita Boles, HMHB Executive Director, said, "Workplace support is increasingly important for families to maximize their chances of achieving good health. We salute Verizon Wireless for setting new standards in the workplace by making it possible for parents to assure their children get a healthy start."

Verizon Wireless Regional President Patrick Devlin said, "Verizon Wireless is proud to be the recipient of the Workplace Model of Excellence Award. We understand working parents face many challenges, and because of that, our goal is simple: we strive to provide our employees the best work/life benefits in the industry. Leading-edge programs and benefits that help employees achieve balance in their work and personal lives is a winning combination for both our employees and Verizon Wireless."

The ceremony will include a special tribute to actress, author and producer Marlo Thomas, who will accept a Special Impact Award in recognition of her decades of work in support of children's health and childhood development. In addition to co-producing and starring in the television special, book and record, "Free to Be…You and Me," Thomas serves as National Outreach Director of the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee.

Honors from the National Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Coalition will also go to Senator Kit Bond (R-MO) and Representative Lucille Roybal-Allard (D-CA), who will receive awards for their leadership in promoting maternal and child health. Senator Bond's leadership helped to establish the National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and substantial funding for the prevention of lead poisoning. Representative Roybal-Allard, chair of the Hispanic Caucus, has actively promoted many health issues, including birth defects prevention, newborn screening and adult immunization.

The National Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Coalition annual awards luncheon, "Promoting the Best from the Beginning," honors dignitaries whose research, support and education have increased awareness of health issues for families.

About Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless is the nation's leading provider of wireless communications. The company has the largest nationwide wireless voice and data network and 39 million customers. Headquartered in Bedminster, NJ, Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE: VZ) and Vodafone (NYSE and LSE: VOD). Find more information on the Web at www.verizonwireless.com. To receive broadcast-quality video footage of Verizon Wireless operations, log onto www.thenewsmarket.com/verizonwireless.  

About The National Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Coalition
The National Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Coalition (HMHB) is a leading voice on maternal and child health, reaching an estimated one million health care professionals, parents and policymakers through its membership of over 200 local, state and national organizations. Enhanced by a network of 93 Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies State and Local Coalitions, HMHB acts as a catalyst for change and creates partnerships among community groups, nonprofit organizations, professional associations, businesses and government agencies. By promoting optimal health for mothers and babies and responsible fatherhood, HMHB works to strengthen families and build healthier communities.

####