Chamber Seeks Nominations for Corporate Citizenship Awards

WASHINGTON, DC—The U.S. Chamber of Commerce and its Business Civic Leadership Center (BCLC) have opened the nomination period for the 2006 Corporate Citizenship Awards. The awards recognize businesses and chambers of commerce that have made extraordinary contributions to their communities.

"It's important for society to understand the tremendously positive impact businesses and chambers of commerce have on local communities," said Stephen Jordan, BCLC vice president and executive director. "The private sector is stepping up to make life better, not just by doing what it does best – making products, delivering services and creating jobs – but also by funding charities and relief services, encouraging employees to engage in philanthropic activities, and lending its know-how to solve public sector problems."

BCLC will present awards recognizing small, midsize, and large businesses in several categories, including Corporate Stewardship, U.S. Community Service, International Community Service, Business Ethics and Partnership. Two new categories are being offered in 2006: the Business Ethics Award and the Partnership Award. The new categories recognize outstanding examples of ethical leadership and public-private partnerships.

To be eligible, award candidates must be an accredited chamber of commerce, trade association, or a registered U.S. company and member of the U.S. Chamber through a local or international affiliation. Companies, trade associations, and chambers may nominate themselves, or they may be nominated by nonprofits or third parties.

Nomination forms and more information about the awards are available online at www.uschamber.com/bclc/awards. Nominators can also call BCLC at 202-463-3133. Nominations will be accepted until Friday, July 14, 2006. The awards will be presented at the Seventh Annual Corporate Citizenship Awards Dinner, which will take place November 8.

BCLC, formerly the Center for Corporate Citizenship, is a nonprofit affiliate of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce that serves as a resource and voice for businesses and their social, philanthropic and ethical concerns.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world's largest business federation representing more than three million businesses and organizations of every size, sector and region.

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