9.27.2000 ET

(CSRwire) In honor of the National Hispanic Bar Association's (HNBA) 25th anniversary, Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., will contribute $25,000 to help fund the organization's programs. The Silver Anniversary celebration will be held at the group's convention in Chicago, October 4-8.

"We have supported the mission of the HNBA for several years, and we look forward to strengthening our relationship with this outstanding organization," said Robert K. Rhoads, Senior Vice President and General Counsel for Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.

As an anniversary sponsor, Wal-Mart will continue to support the HNBA's mission of advancing the interests of Hispanics within the legal profession, and ensuring their full and equal access to and participation in the nation's legal system. The contribution will support the organization's professional and education programs, as well as scholarships for qualified students.

Since 1975 the HNBA has hosted annual conventions offering professional and educational development seminars and access to professional opportunities in the legal field. Carlos Qui–ones, Corporate Litigation Counsel and HNBA liaison for Wal-Mart, added, "We are excited about exploring professional opportunities for the members of the HNBA within Wal- Mart, and we plan to establish new partnership programs with the organization."

"We are very pleased with Wal-Mart's continued support of our programs for the benefit of law students and professionals nationwide," said Alice Vel‡squez, HNBA President.

The HNBA is a national non-profit association of more than 25,000 Hispanic-American attorneys, judges, law professors, legal professionals and law students in the United States. The organization's primary objectives are to increase the number of Hispanics in the legal profession and to address issues of concern to the Hispanic community.

Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (NYSE: WMT) operates more than 2,560 stores and more than 460 SAM's Clubs in the United States. Internationally, the company operates more than 1,000 units including Argentina (11), Brazil (17), Canada (168), China (8), Germany (95), Korea (5), Mexico (478), Puerto Rico (15) and United Kingdom (240). Wal-Mart is the largest private employer of Hispanics in the United States (more than 74,000.) Wal-Mart employs more than 885,000 associates in the US and 255,000 internationally. In 1999, the company raised and contributed more than $163 million for charitable organizations. Wal-Mart is located on-line at www.Wal-Mart.com.