Bell Atlantic Helps Children's Express Launch Electronic News Bureau

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 15, 1996

CHILDREN'S EXPRESS LAUNCHES INNOVATIVE ELECTRONIC NEWS
BUREAU AT ROCKVILLE REGIONAL LIBRARY

WASHINGTON, DC -- Young people in Montgomery County (MD)
can now access an electronic news bureau to exchange views on critical
issues with their peers worldwide, as a result of an innovative project
launched by Children's Express, Bell Atlantic and the Rockville Regional
Library, part of the Montgomery County Department of Public Libraries.

Children's Express (CE), an award-winning, national non-profit youth
development and leadership organization, uses journalism to give children
a significant voice through print and electronic media.

"Every child in America deserves access to advanced
telecommunications technology. The Children's Express electronic news
bureau will provide a unique and exciting project for young people who
use our public library," said Rep. Constance A. Morella (R-MD),
Chair of the Technology Subcommittee of the House Committee on Science,
Space and Technology.

The new electronic news bureau, sponsored by a two year-grant totaling
$142,000 from the Bell Atlantic Foundation, will stimulate young people
at the Rockville Regional Library to research topics, exchange ideas,
discuss experiences and express opinions upon issues important to their
lives and futures. Under the grant, additional sites will be developed
in New Jersey and elsewhere.

"Bell Atlantic is helping CE leverage technology at public
libraries, to engage more young people and take them out into their
communities, to broaden their world and share their insights with
others," said Robert Clampitt, founder and president of Children's
Express.

County Executive Douglas M. Duncan said he was "happy to formally
welcome the Children's Express bureau to Montgomery County. I am
especially interested in offering programs that stimulate and encourage
creativity in the minds of our young people."

As part of the CE electronic news bureau, Montgomery County youth will
receive training at the library in the CE methodology, conduct roundtable
discussions and community presentations, contribute to CE's publications
and the library's newsletter, and be able to access CE's newly-launched
Web site: http://www.ce.org.

"Bell Atlantic is delighted to support this creative use of
interactive technology that allows more young people to experience the
magic of CE's program," said James A. Smith, Director of the Bell
Atlantic Foundation.

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Children's Express is headquartered in Washington, DC and has bureaus
located in New York City, Washington DC, Indianapolis, Oakland, Marquette
(MI) and London. A CE news bureau consists of reporters (ages 8-13) and
editors (ages 14-18). Their stories, commentaries and analysis of issues
are syndicated to newspapers worldwide. Young people interested in more
information about CE may call (202) 737-7377.

Media contacts:

Lee Wood at Children's Express, (202)737-7377

Mary Anne Leary at Rep. Morella's Office, (202)225-5341
Saroj Ghoting at Rockville Library, (30l)217-3860
Jim Smith at Bell Atlantic,
(703)974-5446