2003 Press Releases

U.S. Steel Kosice Wins Secretary's Award for Corporate Excellence

Bratislava, October 16, 2003

U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell on October 15 presented the Secretary of State's 2003 Awards for Corporate Excellence to U.S. Steel Kosice and its parent company, the United States Steel Corporation of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, as well as to Chevron Nigeria Ltd. and its parent company, the ChevronTexaco Corporation of San Ramon, California.

The Secretary recognized the two U.S. firms for their outstanding corporate citizenship, innovation, and exemplary international business practices and for exhibiting the qualities of conscience, character and integrity. The Awards were established by the U.S. Department of State in 1999, and the winners are selected after a worldwide competition.

The ceremony was held at the Department of State in Washington, where United States Steel Chairman and CEO Thomas Usher accepted the award from Secretary Powell. In Bratislava, U.S. and Slovak government officials, U.S. Steel Kosice executives and other guests participated in the awards ceremony via digital video conference.

U.S. Ambassador Ronald Weiser praised U.S. Steel and the role it has played in Kosice. "When U.S. Steel purchased the facility in 2000, it transformed an unprofitable state-owned relic into a world-class operation, setting an example for Slovaks as they continue with their economic and political transformation," the Ambassador told the audiences in Washington and Bratislava. "They have shown that capitalism is not only about profits, but also about social responsibility, generosity and community development."

U.S. Steel Kosice President Christopher Navetta described his company's philosophy: "U. S. Steel has focused on doing the right thing for our employees, the community, our customers, and suppliers. Most important, however, was our obligation to make U. S. Steel and the United States proud of the way we conducted our business."

In his remarks during the video conference with Washington, Slovak Prime Minister Mikulas Dzurinda noted that Slovak immigrants to America helped build the steel mills of Pennsylvania, and now those steel mills are strengthening the Slovak economy. "As America was a beacon of democracy for us when we were not free, U.S. Steel became a beacon of new business ethics at the critical time of transformation of our economy," he said. The Prime Minister added that the ties between Slovakia and the United States are as "solid and strong as steel made in US Steel Kosice."

Economy Minister Pavel Rusko also attended the awards program, and President Rudolph Schuster presented his congratulations at a private dinner preceding the ceremony.

The United States Steel Corporation received the Secretary of State's Award for Corporate Excellence for its positive impact on the economic, civic and cultural life of the people of the Slovak Republic. The company has acted as an economic engine and a pioneer of good corporate governance and demonstrated how capitalism works at its best. U.S. Steel has established progressive labor practices, a Code of Ethical Business Conduct, and invested in environmental protection projects. U.S. Steel also has supported humanitarian and social programs for its employees and the local community. These include building an oncology wing at a children's hospital, purchasing medical equipment, refurbishing orphanages, and sponsoring community-wide events.

Also receiving the Award for Corporate Excellence October 15 was the ChevronTexaco Corporation for its commitment to good corporate citizenship and investments in vital development and poverty alleviation programs in one of the most challenging regions in the world, the Niger Delta in Nigeria.

Background: Secretary of State's Award for Corporate Excellence

The Secretary of State's Award for Corporate Excellence, established by the State Department in 1999, recognizes the important role U.S. businesses play abroad as good corporate citizens. The Award sends a strong signal of the Department's commitment to further exemplary practices worldwide and highlights our increasing role in business-related issues.

U.S. companies are nominated by Chiefs of Mission and the winners are chosen by the Award Selection Committee, chaired by Under Secretary Alan Larson, Economic, Business, and Agriculture Affairs; and including Under Secretary Grant Green, Management; and senior officials from the Bureau of Economic and Business Affairs; the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor; the Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs; as well as the Overseas Private Investment Corporation and Department of Commerce. Winners are recognized with a copyrighted award statue unveiled in a formal ceremony hosted by the Secretary of State. The ceremony, attended by Congressional staff, the Diplomatic Corps and leaders from both the business and NGO communities includes participation, via satellite, with winning Chiefs of Mission, in-country company executives and invited guests. The event is open to the media in Washington and overseas.

Past winners have included both multinational (MNE) and small-to-medium size enterprises (SME). Historically, the Selection Committee, which meets during the summer months, has recognized two to three winners based on a thorough discussion and evaluation of the nominations submitted. In 2002, Coca-Cola Egypt received the MNE award for its corporate citizenship and social responsibility to the region; and, Chindex, International of China received the SME award for its work with Chinese orphanages. In 2001, the Award Selection Committee determined that the winners were Ford Motor Company of South Africa for its strong corporate citizenship and extensive work combating HIV/AIDS; and, SELCO-Vietnam was selected as the SME winner for its exemplary business and environmental practices. In 2000, Motorola Malaysia and Rayonier New Zealand shared the MNE Award while Frigorifico Canelones of Uruguay, a subsidiary of Land O'Frost, won in the SME category. In 1999, Xerox Brazil was the MNE winner and the small sugar production firm F.C. Schaffer & Associates took the SME honors for their sustained efforts in Ethiopia.