James Earl Jones Helps Bell Atlantic Yellow Pages Present $20,000 Grant to Project FLIGHT

James Earl Jones Helps Bell Atlantic Yellow Pages
Present
$20,000 Grant to Project FLIGHT

Jones Reads "The Kissing Hand" to Local
Mothers and Children in
Honor of Mother's Day

May 5, 1999

BUFFALO, NY -- James Earl Jones, the legendary actor and
Bell Atlantic spokesperson, delighted children and mothers alike today at
the home of Buffalo State College President Dr. Muriel A. Moore. Dr.
Moore helped Bell Atlantic Yellow Pages present $20,000 to Project
FLIGHT, a local literacy organization. Mr. Jones also read The Kissing
Hand by Audrey Penn to attendees in honor of Mother's Day.

Project FLIGHT is a literacy organization at Buffalo State College that
provides services to hundreds of non-profit agencies throughout the local
area. Bell Atlantic Yellow Page's grant will assist Project FLIGHT in
expanding the "Books for Kids" program, which was
established in partnership with the Buffalo News to provide donated new
and gently used books to local organizations that serve underprivileged
children and families in the Buffalo area. Those organizations, in turn,
provide the children they serve with books to not only read and enjoy, but
also to take home and keep. Bell Atlantic's grant will be the largest cash
grant ever made to Project Flight for its children's literacy programs.

According to Drs. Betty Cappella and Geraldine Bard, co-founders of
Project FLIGHT and professors at Buffalo State College, the children
were elated that Project FLIGHT was chosen for the special visit by James
Earl Jones and Bell Atlantic Yellow Pages.

Dr. Bard explained that, "These children have often heard the
distinctive voice of James Earl Jones as Mufasa in The Lion King. They
have seen him on TV and heard him on the radio in Bell Atlantic
commercials. And, today, this venerable actor was sitting with them,
reading a wonderful story. What a special morning it was for all of
us."

"It seems that every day there are new reports about how reading to
our children can provide them with a positive start in life," said
Donald Flanders, president of New York sales at Bell Atlantic Yellow
Pages. "That's why we are so excited about our company-wide
support of children's literacy programs. It's also why we're delighted to
extend the reach of those efforts here in Buffalo, through our donation to
Project FLIGHT."

Buffalo State President Muriel A. Moore, Ph.D. hosted the event at her
home and stated "For children, learning to read is joy. They don't
yet know that it is also an opportunity. We are delighted that Bell Atlantic
has chosen to support children's literacy through Project FLIGHT."

Bell Atlantic is at the forefront of the new communications and
information industry. With more than 43 million telephone access lines
and nine million wireless customers worldwide, Bell Atlantic companies
are premier providers of advanced wireline voice and data services, and
market leaders in wireless services. Bell Atlantic companies also are
among the world's largest investors in high-growth global communications
markets, with operations and investments in 23 countries. Bell Atlantic is
the world's largest publisher of directory information and is the creator of
BigYellow^SM, the nation's leading online shopping directory.

James Earl Jones has worked with Bell Atlantic for 10 years and served as
the company's spokesperson for four. He is a star of both stage and screen
and has played leading roles in many plays and movies, including The
Great White Hope, Cry the Beloved Country and Field of Dreams.