Industry and goverment leaders, former astronauts and Hollywood luminaries join forces to

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
Laurie Rossbach
202-326-1797


INDUSTRY AND GOVERNMENT LEADERS, FORMER ASTRONAUTS
AND HOLLYWOOD LUMINARIES JOIN FORCES TO SUPPORT
COLUMBIA SHUTTLE FAMILIES

Washington, September 16, 2003 - The launch of the Columbia Shuttle Memorial
Trust, a campaign to raise funds to support the families of Columbia shuttle
mission STS-107 astronauts and pay tribute to their achievements through the
creation of appropriate memorials, was announced at a news conference in
Washington today by Richard Gelfond, Chairman of the Columbia Shuttle
Memorial Trust Steering Committee and Co-Chief Executive and
Co-Chairman of IMAX Corporation, former astronaut Dr. Guion "Guy" Bluford of
the Aerospace Technology Group, and NASA Administrator Sean O'Keefe.

A high-profile group of leaders from the aerospace and entertainment
industries have volunteered their time and resources to establish and guide
the Columbia Shuttle Memorial Trust. Trust members include Academy
Award-winners Ron Howard and Brian Grazer of Imagine Entertainment who
directed and produced, respectively, Apollo 13; former astronaut Frank
Culbertson of SAIC; Alan Horn, President and COO of Warner Bros.
Entertainment; former astronaut Dr. Kathryn D. Sullivan, President and CEO
of COSI; Norman Augustine, Chairman Emeritus of Lockheed Martin Corporation;
former astronaut Dr. Guion "Guy" Bluford of the Aerospace Technology Group;
General Jack Dailey, Director of the Smithsonian National Air & Space
Museum; Elliot Pulham, President and CEO of the Space Foundation; former
astronaut Charles Bolden of TechTrans International; Richard Edelman,
President and CEO of public relations firm Edelman; and Shawn Smeallie,
Executive Director of the Trust and Managing Director, American Continental
Group. The Trust is also championed by former astronaut John Glenn and an ex
officio membership of public officials including Sean O'Keefe, NASA
Administrator.

The crew of STS-107 dedicated themselves to pursuing scientific challenges,
on behalf of those of us here on Earth," said NASA Administrator Sean O'
Keefe. "This initiative, supported by a dynamic combination of leaders from
Hollywood and the space industry, will undoubtedly yield great benefit for
the families of these honorable men and women. I applaud this effort by
entertainment and business to pay tribute to the Columbia shuttle crew who
gave their lives to serve us all."

The Trust hopes to raise $1 million for each of the seven Columbia families
to help compensate for the current and future economic impact of the loss of
their loved ones. A portion of the funds raised over that amount will help
to memorialize the STS-107 mission and crew.

Following the dedication of a memorial at Arlington Cemetery in February
2004, the Columbia Shuttle Memorial Trust will host a gala event,
tentatively scheduled to be held in the Smithsonian National Air & Space
Museum, to present funds raised by the Columbia Shuttle Memorial Trust to
the families of the Columbia crew.

"On February 1, 2003, America and the world lost seven dedicated men and
women when the Columbia shuttle fell from the skies," said IMAX's Richard
Gelfond, who serves as chairman of the Columbia Shuttle Memorial Trust
Steering Committee. "The deep sense of loss was felt by millions in the
United States and throughout the world. While we cannot ease their sadness,
we are honored to help ease the burdens of those who feel this loss the
deepest."

Shawn Smeallie, Executive Director of the Trust and Managing Director of the
American Continental Group added, "This worthy cause has attracted an
outpouring of support from high-profile leaders in the United States and
beyond. The Trust is committed to the raising of funds to provide for the
families of the Columbia crew, and the creation of memorials and activities
to honor the astronauts of the STS-107 mission."

The Columbia Shuttle Memorial Trust received an inaugural gift of $1 million
from Lockheed Martin Corporation.

Donations of all amounts are greatly appreciated. Donations may be made by
visiting www.columbia7trust.org or calling
1-877-99SPACE.


About the Columbia Shuttle Memorial Trust
The Columbia Shuttle Memorial Trust is a not-for-profit organization
incorporated in the District of Columbia in August 2003. The Trust's mission
is to assist the families of the Columbia crew, help erect memorials for the
Columbia Shuttle and pursue activities that build awareness about space
programs.


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Jacques :-)

Editor: www.spacepatches.info

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