Special Presentation by Greater Pittsburgh Teen Leadership Council PITTSBURGH, March 12 /PRNewswire/ -- Employees of Duquesne Light Company will be recognized for their generous volunteer efforts throughout the Greater Pittsburgh area in being named this year's recipient of the Anti-Defamation League National American Heritage Award. The award will be accepted on behalf of the employees by Duquesne Light President & CEO Morgan K. O'Brien on Thursday, March 22nd, 2007, at The Westin Convention Center Pittsburgh. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), one of the nation's preeminent civil rights organizations. The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) National American Heritage Award recognizes individuals who serve their community through work and deed -- embodying what is best in America: justice, freedom, equality and fellowship. Duquesne Light employees, through their many community volunteer efforts, are highly deserving of this award. "The employees of Duquesne Light exhibit extraordinary generosity to the Greater Pittsburgh community during their 'off hours' -- defining the ideals represented by the ADL's American Heritage Award," said Steven D. Irwin ADL's Pittsburgh Chairman. "This is the first time ADL is presenting this award to employees of a company rather than to the top executive -- and we are pleased and honored to be setting this precedent with and for the folks at Duquesne Light." The theme of this year's award ceremony is "The Power of Volunteers." Irwin noted that while the top priority of Duquesne Light employees is to provide the Pittsburgh region a reliable, secure, reasonably priced energy supply, their humanity also provides the power of caring for our neighbors. Duquesne Light's success as a company is directly connected to the success of the communities and individuals it serves. For more than 125 years, this trusted, forward-thinking community partner has invested in the success of southwestern Pennsylvania. A major component of that partnership is active employee involvement in service projects and other activities that underscore Duquesne Light's commitment to the community. This volunteerism ranges from helping low-income families rehabilitate their homes to lending a hand at local food banks to providing new winter coats for underserved youths. Morgan O'Brien and the men and women of Duquesne Light have a firm belief that Pittsburgh's -- and the company's -- best days are ahead, as well as the dedication to help make it happen. A special feature of the award dinner will be a presentation by members of The ADL Greater Pittsburgh Teen Leadership Council. ADL began its sponsorship of the Greater Pittsburgh Teen Leadership Council (TLC) in 2006. The TLC brings together more than 100 high school students from across our region to discuss and address issues of bigotry and prejudice. Through dialogue leading to action, these students promote efforts in their schools, homes and communities to replace bigotry and prejudice with understanding, compassion and respect for diversity. The TLC members' presentation will share their thoughts and impressions of their recent trip to Washington, D.C. and the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum. Using the lessons of The Holocaust, the teens explored issues of hatred and bigotry, the ultimate dangers they present to society, and the responsibility each person has to counteract prejudice. The Anti-Defamation League has led the fight against racism, bigotry, intolerance and anti-Semitism for almost 100 years. Founded in 1913 to "stop the defamation of the Jewish people and to secure justice and fair treatment to all," ADL today is the nation's premier human relations and civil rights organization. As a leader in anti-bias education, materials and programs, ADL builds bridges of communication, understanding and respect among diverse groups in the United States and around the world. ADL operates through a network of regional offices in the United States and abroad. Our Greater Pittsburgh programs are part of the four-state region that includes Western Pennsylvania, Ohio, Kentucky and West Virginia. Community, business and political leaders throughout the region will gather on March 22nd to honor and congratulate Duquesne Light employees. (see last page for list of gala sponsors and ADL regional partners). Corporations and individuals participate in the event through various levels of sponsorship. Table sponsorships of 10 seats are available at $10,000, $5,000 and $3,500 levels. Individual tickets are available for $400. For more information on sponsoring the event or to purchase an individual ticket, contact the ADL at (412) 471-1050. Sponsors of the gala and ADL regional partners include: Duquesne Light National City Howard Hanna Real Estate Services Mellon Financial Corporation United States Steel Corporation The Giant Eagle Foundation Citizens Bank of Pennsylvania Key Bank Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield University of Pittsburgh Reed Smith LLP Tucker Arensberg, P.C. Olympic Steel Jones Day Forest City Enterprises Cleveland Clinic Oxford Development Company Developers Diversified Realty Eat N Park Hospitality Group Medical Mutual Horizons Incorporated Landau Public Relations The MetroHealth System The Plain Dealer Baker Hostetler Kohrman Jackson & Krantz P.L.L. Ferro Corporation Ernst & Young Squire, Sanders & Dempsey L.L.P. Benesch Friedlander Coplan & Aronoff LLP GOJO Industries Ohio Savings Bank Founded in 1913 "to stop the defamation of the Jewish people ... and to secure justice and fair treatment to all citizens alike." DATASOURCE: Anti-Defamation League CONTACT: Shari Kochman of ADL, +1-412-471-1050 x 23, or ; or Joseph Vallarian of Duquesne Light, +1-412-393-4606, or

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