17th Annual Lewis Hine Awards Salute 10 American Heroes for Outstandin

17th Annual Lewis Hine Awards Salute 10 American Heroes for Outstanding Service to Youth; Business Leader James Ketelsen Receives Distinguished Service Award; New York City Deputy Mayor Dennis M. Walcott Receives Ronald H. Brown Award

    Business Editors

    NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 25, 2005--The National Child Labor Committee (NCLC) today announced the names of its ten 2005 Lewis Hine Awards honorees. James Ketelsen will receive the Distinguished Service Award. New York City Deputy Mayor Dennis M. Walcott will receive the Ronald H. Brown Award, presented by his daughter Tracey L. Brown.
    The Awards recognize outstanding service on behalf of children and youth. They will be presented on Monday, January 31 in New York City and chaired by C. Robert Henrikson, President and COO, MetLife, Inc.
    "The Lewis Hine Awards are very special," says C. Robert Henrikson. "They honor those unsung heroes who give of themselves to better the lives of young people. The winners are chosen for the extraordinary work they do to provide our children with the tools and support they need to become happy and self-sufficient adults."
    Each year the NCLC presents the Distinguished Service Award to business leaders and individuals in the public eye who have made a positive impact on the welfare of the nation's youth. This year's Honoree James Ketelsen, former Chairman and CEO of Tenneco, joins the ranks of leaders from the worlds of media, arts and entertainment, and public service such as Hillary Rodham Clinton, Joan Cooney, Tipper Gore, and Charles Schulz.
    Each year the NCLC presents the Ronald H. Brown Award honoring an American leader who has overcome prejudice and discrimination and uses his/her public platform to help young people do the same. This year's Honoree is NYC Deputy Mayor Dennis M. Walcott. Previous honorees include Harry Belafonte, Jorge Ramos and Oprah Winfrey.

    The Winners:

--	Mr. Thomas Buzbee, New Waverly, TX
--	Dr. John Cannon, Davenport, IA
--	Ms. Lela Coons, Warwick, RI
--	Mr. Michael E. Cox, Sr., Cleveland, OH
--	Chief Bernard Melekian, Pasadena, CA
--	Mr. Chirag B. Patel, Houston, TX
--	Dr. Ruthellen Phillips, Morgantown, WVA
--	Dr. Robert Snodgrass, Staunton, VA
--	Ms. Debbie Tapp, Bradenton, FL
--	Ms. Joy Wilken, Sprague, WA

    The Lewis Hine Awards

    Named for acclaimed photographer Lewis Wickes Hine, the Awards were established by the NCLC in 1985. In the early 20th Century, Hine's unsettling images of children laboring in sweatshops, coal mines, textile mills, and on farms advanced the enactment of state and federal laws to protect the rights of children in the workplace.
    Judges from corporations, nonprofits, and foundations selected award recipients from hundreds of nominations submitted by governors, mayors, CEOs, and nonprofit leaders. The winners join a select group of dedicated individuals who reach out daily to improve the futures of young people. Each receives a $1,000 prize and a trip to the awards ceremony.

    The National Child Labor Committee

    NCLC is a nonprofit organization founded in 1904 and incorporated by an Act of Congress in 1907 to promote the rights, dignity, well-being, and education of children and youth as they relate to work and the workplace. NCLC continues to be a leading force in ensuring child labor law compliance, transforming the workplace into a learning environment, improving youth occupational safety and health, educating children, and increasing public awareness of the rights of children.

    MetLife, Inc.

    MetLife is a subsidiary of MetLife Inc. (NYSE:MET). Ranked 36th on the Fortune 500, MetLife is a leader in providing insurance and other financial services to millions of individual and institutional customers. As sponsor of the 2005 Lewis Hine Awards, MetLife carries on the company's long-standing tradition of community involvement. Recognizing the vital role that young people play in the future of our country, MetLife and MetLife Foundation support organizations which provide opportunities for young people to learn and grow and encourage mentoring. MetLife has supported the Lewis Hine Awards since 1988.
    For more information e-mail NCLC05HINE@AOL.COM or call (1-212) 840-1801 x 23.

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CONTACT: Joyce Appelman, 516-482-1016 Greatappel@aol.com

KEYWORD: NEW YORK INDUSTRY KEYWORD: INSURANCE SOURCE: National Child Labor Committee

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