Mercedes-Benz Honors USTA ICON Award Recipients at US Open

MONTVALE, N.J., Sept. 1, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- With the US Open in full-swing, Mercedes-Benz Official Vehicle of the US Open is planning a short break from the action to partake in the 2011 ICON Awards, a premier United States Tennis Association (USTA) event to celebrate diversity and inclusion in the sport of tennis and in society.

(Logo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20100901/NY58315LOGO)

The event on September 6, 2011 includes for the first time, the Billie Jean King Legacy Award, which goes to an individual who embodies the word "icon" and has made significant contributions or achievements in the areas of inclusion, fairness and equality.

This year's honorees for the 2011 ICON Awards also include Mayor David N. Dinkins, Rick Welts, CEO and President of the Phoenix Suns and Sportsmen's Tennis Club.  The ceremony is hosted by author Toure and Betty Nguyen, correspondent for CBS News.

Mercedes-Benz USA a subsidiary of Daimler AG, who employs 260,100 people worldwide representing over 140 nationalities, share a common goal in building diversity throughout its organizations from internal programs for career development to partnerships with institutions that support professional training and diversity across cultures.

"Diversity has the power to drive innovation and shape the future of our company because of our different experiences, skills and perspectives," said Tommy Shi, Diversity and Inclusion Officer for Mercedes-Benz USA.  "We are proud to support the USTA's 2011 ICON Awards and its leadership in honoring those that contribute to fairness and equality in sport and throughout the world."

Formerly known as Breaking the Barriers program, the ICON Awards: A USTA Event, has for the past three years honored those whose achievements and milestones serve as examples of the value and impact of diversity and inclusion.  Last year's event celebrated such notables as Baseball Hall-of-Famer Hank Aaron, past USTA President Judy Levering, and AT&T Mobility's Chief Executive Officer, Ralph de le Vega.  In 2009, Breaking the Barriers honored the National Junior Tennis and Learning (NJTL) network on the 40th anniversary of its founding.  NJTL founders Arthur Ashe, represented by his wife Jeanne Moutoussamy-Ashe, Charlie Pasarell and Sheridan Snyder were all presented with an award for their commitment to bringing tennis to underserved youth around the country.

Musical entertainment performances include The Juilliard School and special guest Dia Frampton, the runner-up in the inaugural season of the television show, "The Voice."

About the United States Tennis Association

The USTA is the national governing body for the sport of tennis in the U.S. and the leader in promoting and developing the growth of tennis at every level -- from local communities to the highest level of the professional game.  A not-for-profit organization with more than 750,000 members, it invests 100% of its proceeds in growing the game. It owns and operates the US Open, the highest attended annual sporting event in the world, and launched the Olympus US Open Series linking 10 summer tournaments to the US Open. In addition, it owns the 90-plus Pro Circuit events throughout the U.S., and selects the teams for the Davis Cup, Fed Cup, Olympic and Paralympic Games. The USTA philanthropic entity, USTA Serves, provides grants and scholarships and helps underserved youth and people with disabilities. For more information on the USTA, log on to usta.com, "like" the official Facebook page facebook.com/usta or follow @usta on Twitter.

About Mercedes-Benz USA

Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA), headquartered in Montvale, New Jersey, is responsible for the distribution, marketing and customer service for all Mercedes-Benz and Maybach products in the United States.  MBUSA offers drivers the most diverse line-up in the luxury segment with 14 model lines ranging from the sporty C-Class to the flagship S-Class sedans and the SLS AMG supercar.  

MBUSA is also responsible for the distribution, marketing and customer service of Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Vans and smart in the US.  More information on MBUSA and its products can be found at www.mbusa.com, www.mbsprinterusa.com and www.smartusa.com.

SOURCE Mercedes-Benz USA

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