FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 2, 2002:

Environmental Research and Education Foundation Honors
DaimlerChrysler Corporation As Environmentalist Of The Year

Washington, D.C. - On June 26, 2002, the Environmental Research and Education Foundation (EREF) held its Environmentalist of the Year award gala in the Pavilion of The Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center in the nation's capital.

DaimlerChrysler Corporation, Auburn Hills, Mich., was recognized for its care for the environment by turning waste into car parts through the Chrysler Group's CARE (Concepts for Advanced Recycling and Environmental) Car II program.  The project used a process developed by Recovery Plastics International (RPI) (Salt Lake City, Utah) to sort and separate different types of plastic, with the resulting recovered plastic being recycled and reused.  Fifty-four parts were made with recycled plastic and fitted onto two Jeep(R) Grand Cherokees.

EREF Chairman Ronald J. McCracken and President Michael J. Cagney presented Bernard Robertson, Senior Vice President, Engineering Technologies and Regulatory Affairs, DaimlerChrysler, with a faceted, engraved crystal award and the foundation's check for $50,000.  Mr. Robertson said that DaimlerChrysler plans to donate the $50,000 cash award to a charity or environmental program operating in Michigan.

The list of gala attendees included chief executive officers and senior executives from several waste service companies (Leach Company (Oshkosh, Wisc.), Mack Trucks, Inc. (Allentown, Pa.), McClain/E-Z Pack (Sterling Heights, Mich.), Philadelphia Tramrail Company (Philadelphia, Pa.), RJM Manufacturing Company (Easley, S.C.), SCS Engineers (Reston, Va.), and Waste Management, Inc. (Houston, Tex.)); the Honorable Bob Davis (R-Mi.-Retired) and Senator Joe Biden's Chief of Staff Alan Hoffman and Lisa Borin); Keith Robinson, Deputy Regional Director for the United Nations Environment Programme, Regional Office for North America; and DaimlerChrysler representatives Christine Estereicher, Susan Yester, Gerald R. Winslow and Kathleen Graham.

Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter Kathy Mattea performed an extraordinary acoustical set with three accompanying artists, with music and songs ranging from Bluegrass to Irish and Celtic.  After her performance, Ms. Mattea mingled with guests providing autographs and photo opportunities.

Michael Cagney, EREF president said, "The mission of the EREF is to develop environmental solutions for the future and it is quite proper that we recognize DaimlerChrysler for it is quite proper that we recognize DaimlerChrysler for its CARE Car program because it ties so well with our work."  He added, "For the past ten years the EREF has established itself as an organization committed to good science - as such it has become a vital community resource - vital not only to the industry in which it has its roots, but also to the general public which it serves.  I am proud to be its chief executive."

The mission of the Environmental Research and Education Foundation is to develop environmental solutions for the future through research and education.  For details about the foundation and a list of grants and scholarships to date and special events, visit www.erefdn.org. 

See write-up and photos from the event...

Contact:    Anne M. Brauer, Director of Development and Communications
                    703.299.5139 or abrauer@erefdn.org