James Earl Jones Hosts Event for Young Patients of Our Lady of Mercy Medical Center

James Earl Jones Hosts Event for Young Patients
of Our Lady of Mercy Medical Center

Bell Atlantic Spokesperson Reads "Where the Wild Things
Are" and Donates $5,000 for Books as Part of Children's
Literacy Program

November 11, 1998

NEW YORK -- Bell Atlantic spokesperson and actor James Earl Jones
brought good cheer and a check for $5,000 to young patients of Our Lady
of Mercy Medical Center with an afternoon reading of Where the Wild
Things Are. The reading of Maurice Sendak's classic book was held in the
Roy Rogers and Dale Evans Children's Center for an audience of 30
young outpatients as part of Bell Atlantic's children's literacy program.

On behalf of the Bell Atlantic Yellow Pages, Mr. Jones presented a $5,000
check to Gary S. Horan, FACHE, president and chief executive officer of
Our Lady of Mercy Medical Center, for the acquisition of books for the
pediatric unit. Our Lady of Mercy Medical Center is a leading hospital in
the Bronx and serves a population of 600,000 people.

"We thank Bell Atlantic for Mr. Jones's visit to share his love of reading
and to present a donation that brings the joy of books to our young
patients," said Horan. "Our Lady of Mercy Medical Center is dedicated to
helping children be as healthy as possible, and the ability to read and share
in the worlds that books provide is part of a healing environment."

The Bell Atlantic Yellow Pages children's literacy program began early this
year and has resulted in alliances with numerous literacy groups, donations,
and the sponsorship of Mr. Jones' readings for children. Mr. Jones and his
distinctive voice, which many children know from his role as Mufasa in The
Lion King, are part of a Bell Atlantic advertising program featuring
characters from Where the Wild Things Are.

"Reading to children is an exciting way to open up new horizons, and to
share your interest in children's growth," said Jones. "Whether in a
hospital or in your living room, sharing books with children is an
investment in our future."

Earlier in the day, Jones helped unveil the 1998-1999 Bell Atlantic Staten
Island White and Yellow Pages cover, which depicts the headquarters of
the Staten Island Chamber of Commerce. Praising the group as one of the
largest and most active of the local Chamber organizations, Mr. Jones
presented a framed cover to Lawrence de Maria, president and chief
executive officer of the nearly 1,000-member Chamber. Bell Atlantic has
begun delivering more than 190,000 directories to households and
businesses in Staten Island.

Following the children's reading at Our Lady of Mercy Medical Center,
Jones joined guests and Bell Atlantic Yellow Pages advertisers at a
reception and attendance of the Broadway production of The Lion King.

Our Lady of Mercy Medical Center is a University Hospital of New York
Medical College and a member of Our Lady of Mercy Healthcare System
and the Catholic Health Care Network. The Roy Rogers and Dale Evans
Children's Center provides state-of-the-art health care services for infants,
children and mothers. The Center encompasses a birthing center, well-
baby nurseries, neonatal intensive care unit, pediatric unit, pediatric intensive
care, pediatric ambulatory care, pediatric surgery, pediatric emergency
department, pediatric subspecialties and pediatric home care.

Bell Atlantic is the world's largest publisher of Yellow Pages shopping
directories. Its affiliate, Bell Atlantic Electronic Commerce Services, is the
creator of BigYellowSM, a leading national online shopping service.

Bell Atlantic is at the forefront of the new communications and information
industry. With 42 million telephone access lines and eight 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 are also among the world's largest
investors in high-growth global communications markets, with operations
and investments in 23 countries.