Aflac Presents Smithsonian With $1 Million Gift for the Creation of the National Museum of African-American History and Culture
June 28 2005 - 7:36PM
PR Newswire (US)
Aflac Presents Smithsonian With $1 Million Gift for the Creation of
the National Museum of African-American History and Culture Aflac
becomes the first corporate citizen to make a donation toward the
museum's construction COLUMBUS, Ga., June 28 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/
-- Aflac Chairman and CEO, Dan Amos presented a check for $1
million dollars today to the Smithsonian Institute for the building
of the new National Museum of African-American History and Culture,
making the Columbus, Ga.-based insurer the first Fortune 500
company to donate funds toward the landmark's construction. Amos
made the check presentation during a donation ceremony in the
Smithsonian's Castle Building. "Aflac is proud to lead the way in
contributing to this most worthy cause," Amos said. "The museum
will serve as a great way to spotlight America's diverse history
while honoring the African-American experience that has been
instrumental in the development of our great nation. I look forward
to the completion of this significant cultural landmark." The
museum will be the only national institution devoted exclusively to
the documentation of African-American life, art, history and
culture. The museum's exhibits will cover topics as varied as
slavery, post-Civil War Reconstruction, the Harlem Renaissance and
the civil rights movement. The museum's director, Lonnie G. Bunch,
and Smithsonian Secretary Lawrence M. Small accepted the $1 million
donation during the ceremony. "We are extremely grateful that
Aflac, a company with a proud history of community involvement and
philanthropic giving, has stepped forward to galvanize the launch
of our newest museum with such a magnanimous gift," said Small. The
National Museum of African-American History and Culture was
established on Dec. 19, 2003, when President Bush signed into law
legislation establishing the museum as part of the Smithsonian
Institution. The Smithsonian Board of Regents announced the
founding 19-member council of the museum -- which includes leaders
from business, academia and the arts -- in December 2004. Dr.
Robert L. Wright, chairman emeritus of Dimensions International and
former chairman of the Presidential Commission for the National
Museum of African-American History and Culture, expressed his
sincere appreciation of Aflac's commitment. "I am proud to be
involved with a company that recognizes the important contributions
that African Americans have made to our great country. Aflac has a
long-standing history of philanthropy and a profound understanding
of the importance of diversity," said Wright, who is also a member
of Aflac's board of directors and chairman of the Audit Committee.
Planning, design and construction of the museum are currently under
way. Also in attendance at the donation ceremony were Aflac board
member Ben Johnson and U.S. Representative Sanford Bishop Jr. of
Georgia. Aflac made the pledge to support the museum nearly three
years ago in November 2002. More recently, Aflac donated $1 million
toward the construction of a national memorial commemorating the
life and work of Martin Luther King Jr. during an MLK Unity
Breakfast held in Columbus, Ga., on January 17, 2005. For 50 years,
Aflac (NYSE:AFL) products have given policyholders the opportunity
to direct cash where it is needed most when a life-interrupting
medical event causes financial challenges. Aflac is the number one
provider of guaranteed-renewable insurance in the United States and
the number one insurance company in terms of individual insurance
policies in force in Japan. Aflac's insurance products provide
protection to more than 40 million people worldwide. In January
2005, Aflac was included in Fortune magazine's list of the 100 Best
Companies to Work For in America for the seventh consecutive year.
Aflac has also been included in both Forbes magazine's Platinum 400
List of America's Best Big Companies and in Fortune magazine's
listing of America's Most Admired Companies for five consecutive
years. Aflac Incorporated is a Fortune 500 company listed on the
New York Stock Exchange under the symbol AFL. To find out more
about Aflac, visit aflac.com. (Photo:
http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20050628/CLTU051 ) (Logo:
http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20041202/CLTH019LOGO ) Media
Contact: Mechell Clark (706) 243-8004 Voice (706) 320-2288 Fax
Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20050628/CLTU051
http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20041202/CLTH019LOGO AP
Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org PRN Photo Desk
photodesk@prnewswire.com DATASOURCE: Aflac Incorporated CONTACT:
Mechell Clark of Aflac Incorporated, +1-706-243-8004, or Fax,
+1-706-320-2288, or Web site: http://www.aflac.com/
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