Boeing Gift to Help Reconstruct Haiti's Public Education System

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Aug 17, 2010, 12:00 ET

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti, Aug. 17 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- A Boeing contribution of $900,000 will help support the reconstruction of Haiti's public education system, Boeing (NYSE: BA) and the Interim Haiti Recovery Commission announced today.

Earlier this year Boeing and its employees, through a company-sponsored appeals program, committed $2.2 million to help the people of Haiti. The American Red Cross received $1.3 million of that amount for immediate relief efforts, and Boeing committed the remaining $900,000 to help Haiti rebuild its infrastructure.

"We hope our contribution will help ease the Haitian government's enormous task of rebuilding schools and training classroom teachers," Boeing chairman, president and CEO Jim McNerney said. "Few things are more important to a country and its people's future success than an accessible public education system."

Prime Minister Jean-Max Bellerive and former U.S. President Bill Clinton, who co-lead the recovery commission, will work with Boeing to identify specific projects to support the implementation of the Haitian government's education plan, specifically in areas directly affected by the earthquake that devastated the country in January. The innovative partnership with the government will target the development of a universally accessible, high-quality public education system.

"Today's announcement, along with the voting and approval of hundreds of millions of dollars worth of projects for the reconstruction of Haiti, highlights an opportunity for the Haitian people to re-imagine and achieve their vision for a better future," co-chair Clinton said. "We hope that the private sector continues to direct its support in ways that are coordinated with the Government of Haiti and its people."

The infrastructure contribution will be directed to the Haitian government through the William J. Clinton Foundation to support specific education projects. The recovery commission will review the projects. Boeing will select from the ones that are approved; it also will monitor the projects to ensure transparency and accountability for the contribution.

The Interim Haiti Recovery Commission (IHRC) was created by presidential decree on April 21, 2010, in the wake of the devastating earthquake that struck Haiti on January 12, 2010. The mission of the IHRC is to undertake the expeditious planning, coordination, and implementation of development projects and priorities, including reviewing and approving projects and programs funded by bilateral and multilateral donors, nongovernmental organizations and the private sector. The IHRC is guided by a Board, which includes Haitian and non-Haitian stakeholders in reconstruction efforts.

Boeing is the world's largest aerospace company and leading manufacturer of commercial airplanes and defense, space and security systems. A top U.S. exporter, the company supports airlines and U.S. and allied government customers in more than 90 countries. Its products and tailored services include commercial and military aircraft, satellites, weapons, electronic and defense systems, launch systems, advanced information and communication systems, and performance-based logistics and training. With corporate offices in Chicago, Boeing employs more than 159,000 people across the United States and in 70 countries. Its leadership is strengthened further by hundreds of thousands of people who work for Boeing suppliers worldwide.

For more information, visit www.boeing.com

Contact: Ann Beach, Boeing, 312-544-2997

[email protected]

SOURCE Boeing