12.04.2003 ET

(CSRwire) WASHINGTON, D.C. - The United States Chamber of Commerce today named Deloitte, the Salisbury, Md. Chamber of Commerce and the American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham) in Jamaica as recipients of its 2003 Center for Corporate Citizenship Awards for outstanding community involvement and service. The awards were presented at a dinner held at the Chamber.

"These award winners, and all the nominees, represent the very best of businesses making a difference in their communities," said Thomas J. Donohue, Chamber President and CEO. "Their leadership serves as an inspiration for others to follow."

Deloitte received this year's Citizenship in Action Award for its Excellence in Ethics program designed to provide ethics education to students in grades 4 - 12. Deloitte worked in collaboration with Junior Achievement to design the program, which teaches future business leaders that ethical behavior is a cornerstone of the American enterprise system.

The Salisbury, Md. Chamber is the recipient of the 2003 U.S. Chamber Community Service Award for its initiative to bring together skilled - but disabled - workers with employers seeking talented individuals. From 1998 to 2002, the program has helped area disabled worker service agencies increase their placement by over 300 percent.

The International Chamber Community Service Award was presented to AmCham Jamaica for its program to address safety concerns of the international community. The "Heal Jamaica" initiative provided assistance and support to the Jamaican government and Constabulary Force to build community partnerships, reduce crime and promote investment and tourism in the country.

The U.S. Dept. of Commerce also presented awards for corporate stewardship at the dinner. The Large-Size Business Award went to Merck & Co. Inc., the Medium-Size Business Award went to Salesforce.com and the Small-Size Business Award went to Manufacturing Technology Inc.

The Center for Corporate Citizenship provides corporate citizenship policy and program support for Chamber members. This year's award recipients were part of a large group of nominees and were selected for their inspirational community outreach efforts.

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