U.S. Conference of Mayors Applauds Verizon for Supporting Expansion of Innovative After-School Program

’LA’s BEST’ Uses Technology to Further Education for Students

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. – The U.S. Conference of Mayors has recognized Verizon with the Outstanding Award in Public/Private Partnerships for joining with the city of Los Angeles to expand an innovative after-school program to more inner-city schools.

At a Conference of Mayors meeting in Washington on Sunday (Jan. 18), Verizon was honored for providing $1 million to support expansion of LA’s BEST (Better Educated Students for Tomorrow), the city’s nationally recognized after-school learning program that serves more than 28,000 students at 180 elementary schools. Verizon also supported the creation of best-practices sites, where staff will be trained for similar programs at other schools.

With support from Verizon, the city was able to implement LA’s BEST after-school programs at additional schools. These programs use innovative computer-based and Internet-based curricula to help develop students’ interests and learning abilities and expose students to various forms of new technology.

“This is a prime example of how a private-public partnership can work together to bring state-of-the-art technology to underserved students,” said Tim McCallion, president of Verizon’s West region. “Investing in the education of future generations – especially in growth areas such as technology – has far-reaching benefits to the rest of society.”

About Verizon

Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE:VZ), headquartered in New York, is a leader in delivering broadband and other wireline and wireless communication innovations to mass market, business, government and wholesale customers. Verizon Wireless operates America’s most reliable wireless network, serving more than 80 million customers nationwide. Verizon’s Wireline operations include Verizon Business, which delivers innovative and seamless business solutions to customers around the world, and Verizon Telecom, which brings customers the benefits of converged communications, information and entertainment services over the nation’s most advanced fiber-optic network. A Dow 30 company, Verizon employs a diverse workforce of more than 228,000 and in 2007 generated consolidated operating revenues of $93.5 billion. For more information, visit www.verizon.com.