4.30.2008 - 08:27am ET

(CSRwire) April 30 - ING, a global financial services leader, today announced it is sponsoring the National Teacher of the Year Program, a project by the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO), for the fourth consecutive year. ING executives will join officials of CCSSO at the White House today as President George W. Bush names Michael Geisen of Prineville, Oregon, as the 2008 National Teacher of the Year. All State Teachers of the Year will also be on hand for the celebration.

"By sponsoring the National Teacher of the Year program, we are able to honor teachers across the country who are committed to helping our children excel," said Brian Comer, head of Wealth Management Public Markets Distribution, ING Americas. "While ING's primary goal is to empower educators to better manage their financial future by providing retirement programs and planning, we also understand the importance of being a responsible corporate citizen and are proud to recognize the hard work and devotion of teachers to improve education."

Today, Michael Geisen will be named the 2008 National Teacher of the Year. Geisen is a science teacher at Crook County Middle School. He is the 58th National Teacher of the Year. Geisen will begin a year as a full-time national and international spokesperson for education on June 1, 2008.

ING also honors excellence in education through the ING Unsung Heroes grant program, which recognizes teachers for their innovative teaching methods, creative educational projects, and the ability to make a positive influence on the children they teach.

"ING's commitment to education extends beyond programs that recognize teachers," said Rhonda Mims, president of the ING Foundation. "The ING Foundation focuses its giving on financial literacy, children's education and diversity. We partner with other organizations like Junior Achievement and Operation Hope through volunteer efforts, grants and sponsorships to deliver sustainable programs to help close the gap in student achievement," added Mims.

The National Teacher of the Year Program, sponsored by ING, is a project of the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO). The program, which began in 1952, is the oldest and most prestigious national honors program that focuses public attention on excellence in teaching.

About ING

ING is a global financial institution of Dutch origin offering banking, insurance and asset management to over 75 million private, corporate and institutional clients in more than 50 countries. With a diverse workforce of over 120,000 people, ING comprises a broad spectrum of prominent companies that increasingly serve their clients under the ING brand.

In the U.S., the ING (NYSE: ING) family of companies offer a comprehensive array of financial services to retail and institutional clients, which includes life insurance, retirement plans, mutual funds, managed accounts, alternative investments, direct banking, institutional investment management, annuities, employee benefits, financial planning, and reinsurance. ING holds top-tier rankings in key U.S. markets and serves over 14 million customers across the nation.

About the ING Foundation

The ING Foundation's mission is to improve the quality of life in the communities where ING operates and its employees and customers live. Through charitable giving and employee volunteerism, the foundation focuses on sustainable programs in the areas of financial literacy, children’s education and diversity.

For more information, visit www.ing.com.

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