1.18.2007 - 10:11am ET

(CSRwire) PITTSBURGH--Jan. 17, 2007--Greg Babe, President and CEO of Bayer MaterialScience LLC, was honored today with the sixth annual Tony Coelho Award in recognition of his commitment to employing people with disabilities.

The award, which was founded by Bender Consulting Service, Inc., is presented annually to a CEO, president, or government leader who has demonstrated a significant commitment to employing people with disabilities in competitive positions, and works to influence other business and/or government leaders to do the same.

The award’s namesake, Tony Coelho, was on hand to personally present the award. Coelho is the author of the landmark Americans with Disabilities Act, which was signed into law in 1990 by President George H.W. Bush.

“Greg Babe is a leader who believes in the competitive talent that people with disabilities contribute to the workplace. Both regionally in Western Pennsylvania and nationally, he works tirelessly to expand the employment opportunities of people with disabilities and to influence his peers to do the same,” said Joyce Bender, President and CEO of Bender Consulting, a Pittsburgh-based technology-consulting company that focuses on creating competitive career opportunities for people with disabilities. “His efforts truly make a difference in people’s lives. I urge other companies to follow his great example.”

According to Bender, employment opportunities for people with disabilities can become a critical component in their ability to move from a life of dependency to a life of productivity as a contributing member of society.

“People with disabilities are an often untapped pool of workers who are ready, willing and able to work. They can make important contributions to businesses and to our economy,” said Greg Babe. “I am deeply honored to receive this award on behalf of the employees and leadership at Bayer, and I pledge to continue our efforts to open even more doors and break down even more barriers.”

Past recipients of the Tony Coelho Award include Congressman Steny Hoyer, Maryland; Paul Cofoni, President of CACI, Inc. - Federal; Dr. Kenneth Melani, President and CEO of Highmark, Inc.; Diana Burke, Senior Vice President of Information Security Systems and Technology for RBC Financial Group, Toronto, Canada; and Russ Owen, President, Computer Sciences Corporation.

The award presentation was held at the Bayer Corporation Pittsburgh campus.

About Bayer MaterialScience LLC
Bayer MaterialScience LLC is one of the leading producers of polymers and high-performance plastics in North America and is part of the global Bayer MaterialScience business with nearly 19,000 employees at 40 sites around the world and 2005 sales of 10.7 billion euros. Our innovative developments in coating, adhesive and sealant raw materials, polycarbonates, polyurethanes and thermoplastic urethane elastomers enhance the design and functionality of products in a wide variety of markets, including the automotive, construction, electrical and electronics, household and medical industries, and the sports and leisure fields. Our inorganic basic chemicals unit produces chlorine and related essential products for the chemicals industry. Let us give life to your vision. Bayer MaterialScience – Where VisionWorks.

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