DALLAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 6, 2006--What do a pro golfer, a former astronaut, two high-profile academicians and the CEO of the world's largest oil and gas company have in common? Each is playing a significant role in solving America's math and science education crisis.

On Friday October 6, 2006 Rex Tillerson, Exxon Mobil Corporation's chairman and chief executive officer hosted an event celebrating ExxonMobil's past math and science outreach and announced the company's future plans to expand math and science education programs.

Joining Tillerson at the event was one of the nation's top advocates for math and science education as well as a number of the company's key education partners including:

-- Dr. Larry Faulkner, former president of The University of Texas, president of the Houston Endowment and chairman of the National Mathematics Advisory Panel;

-- PGA Tour golfer Phil Mickelson, who partners with ExxonMobil on a national math and science teacher training program;

-- Dr. Bernard Harris, the first African American astronaut to walk in space and namesake of another ExxonMobil-supported program that offers summer math and science camps to middle school students; and

-- Dr. William Powers, president of the University of Texas.

"The challenge to bolster U.S. students' standing in math and science is huge," Tillerson admitted, citing a National Science Foundation report that one third of U.S. fourth and eighth grader students and less than 20 percent of 12th graders reached proficiency in math and science in 2005. "Continuing to make focused and aggressive improvements in both the way the subjects are taught and learned will make a vital impact in retaining the nation's economic competitiveness and reassuring young people of a secure future,"
Tillerson said.

The National Academies report "Rising Above the Gathering Storm"
focuses on the critical need to strengthen the quality of math and science education in the United States. The report issues a strong warning that if the country does not rectify the problem then our nation's standing as a technological leader will be in jeopardy.

"As a math and science based company, ExxonMobil has a long history of supporting programs that focus on the improvement of teaching and learning of science and math from pre-school through higher education," Tillerson said. "Our strategic math and science programs range from student initiatives and teacher support to the encouragement of women and minorities. But it's clear we must do more."

ExxonMobil focuses much of the company's math and science outreach on programs that emphasize:

-- Encouraging students to take an active interest in math and science education and careers;

-- Motivating all students to learn and perform well in math and science courses;

-- Providing math and science teachers with professional development opportunities; and

-- Supporting the development of highly qualified teachers in the math and science fields.

The first step of ExxonMobil's math and science expansion will be to extend the reach of the Mickelson and Harris programs. ExxonMobil will provide funding for Bernard Harris Summer Science Camps at 20 universities throughout the U.S.. The Mickelson ExxonMobil Teachers' Academy, launched in 2005 as an annual event in Fairfax, Va., will triple with new academies in Texas and Louisiana.

In July, ExxonMobil announced a $10 million commitment to New Orleans area public schools for math and science education. As part of a contribution to help rebuild areas stricken by Hurricane Katrina, ExxonMobil's math and science commitment in New Orleans is in line with the company's larger math and science expansion strategy. Aims include teacher recruiting and professional development, sponsoring programs intent on improving student comprehension in mathematics and science, and supporting math and science magnet schools.

About Exxon Mobil Corporation

Exxon Mobil Corporation is a leading international oil and gas company whose subsidiaries have operations in approximately 200 countries and territories. In the United States, ExxonMobil has significant exploration and production, refining and marketing and chemicals operations. ExxonMobil is one of the largest oil and gas producers and reserves holders in the United States, with a portfolio including Alaska, onshore Gulf Coast and deepwater Gulf of Mexico. In addition, there are approximately 13,000 Exxon and Mobil branded service stations in the U.S., as well as seven refineries, four of which are integrated petrochemical facilities.

For more information about ExxonMobil, please visit the company's website at www.exxonmobil.com.

Copyright Business Wire 2006

ExxonMobil

ExxonMobil

ExxonMobil is a global company with approximately 86,000 employees and a presence in close to 200 countries and territories. We have an industry-leading inventory of discovered oil and gas resources and an impressive portfolio of growth opportunities. We are the largest refiner and marketer of petroleum products and the leading manufacturer of lubricating oil basestocks. Our chemical company ranks among the world's largest petrochemical enterprises. Our organization structure is built on a concept of global businesses and is designed to allow ExxonMobil to compete most effectively in the ever-changing and challenging worldwide energy industry.

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