The Mead Corporation was one of six forest products companies honored by the U.S. Department of Commerce for aiding reforestation efforts in Honduras. "Through successful outreach, the United States continues to demonstrate that sustainable development is good business," said Commerce Secretary William M. Daley. The award was accepted by Mead Chairman, CEO and President Jerry Tatar.

A year ago, the American Forest & Paper Association partnered with the Commerce Department and the U.S. Agency for International Development to help Honduras with its ongoing reforestation efforts. The Central American country, which had suffered for years from loss of native forest, was devastated further by Hurricane Mitch in 1998.

A team of nine Sustainable Forestry Initiative(sm) experts, including John Johnson, Technical Services Manager for Mead Paper's Michigan Operations, has provided technical assistance on nursery operations and sustainable forestry practices. In a visit to Honduras last year, they determined that a reliable source of high-quality seedlings was essential to restore the country's forests. A group of Honduran nursery managers will visit the U.S. and attend a training session from June 4-10.

The Mead Corporation, headquartered in Dayton, Ohio, is one of the leading North American producers of coated paper, specialty paper, coated paperboard and consumer and office products, a world leader in multiple packaging, and a high quality producer of corrugating medium. For additional information about Mead, visit www.mead.com on the Internet.

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