Web Site Creates Digital Neighborhoods for Presidents' Summit

Web Site Creates 'Digital Neighborhoods' for Presidents' Summit

Bell Atlantic, NYNEX Enable Millions to Participate in 'Virtual Summit'

April 21, 1997

PHILADELPHIA, NEW YORK CITY - When delegates gather at the Presidents'

Summit for America's Future, people around the world will be able to

participate and share their thoughts with delegates at the summit

using the latest Internet technology. The summit takes place from

April 27 - 29 in Philadelphia.

As primary providers of summit telecommunications services and

equipment, Bell Atlantic and NYNEX have created an interactive web

site that is now operational at http://www.americaspromise.org. The

site enables summit delegates and "virtual delegates" who participate

on-line to work together, in real time, on action plans to help

America's young people lead fuller lives.

During the summit, the site will provide live coverage - audio, video

and text - of many events, including the opening ceremony where

Presidents Clinton, Bush, Carter, Ford, former First Lady Nancy

Reagan, and Gen. Colin Powell (Ret.), general chairman of the summit,

will issue a historic call to action.

After the summit, the site will live on as a "digital neighborhood,"

serving as a dynamic gathering place for people everywhere who want to

build on the ideas and plans launched at the summit. This national

resource is intended to match up people who want to help with human

services organizations that assist young people.

A key component of the web site are its "declaration pages," which

list companies and organizations that have pledged themselves to

community service.

Visitors to the site can register to become a member of a "digital

neighborhood" and participate in summit proceedings. The names will

become part of a database of interested individuals who will serve as

a significant resource for post-summit activities and follow up.

Visitors registering with the site will choose from a list of

categories to create a profile that identifies them based on areas of

interest. When they register, they will receive customized local

information through the web site and by e-mail.

For example, a summit participant from Boston might choose to receive

all summit news releases along with all materials concerning

delegations from Massachusetts. Or a participant interested in safe

haven programs for kids would be sent information regarding corporate

commitments in their area and details on how to get more involved

locally.

"The web site will enable the good work beginning now at the summit to

continue into the 21st Century," said Ray Smith, Bell Atlantic

chairman and chief executive officer. "This groundbreaking effort

takes full advantage of the newest Internet technology to build

digital neighborhoods that enable people to help our youth succeed."

"We're providing easy-to-use technology that will help revitalize the

spirit of public service in all corners of America," said Ivan

Seidenberg, NYNEX chairman and chief executive officer. "This web

site enhances our ability to share ideas with one another before,

during and after the summit."

Many areas of the web site will include multimedia content on

everything from schedules of summit events, to speeches and delegate

session action plans. The action

plans will be compiled on laptop computers by volunteers who will

staff each of the 16 sessions. Material from the delegation meeting

will be uploaded from laptop computers using wireless modems to

www.americaspromise.org.

The action plans will be posted on the site on Monday evening, April

28. Everyone with Internet access is being encouraged to contribute

their questions, comments and responses to the web site. All e-mail

responses will be collected by summit staff and volunteers and

delivered to summit delegations.

All conference participants will be able to explore the web site at

one of 12 kiosks located around the convention hall or in the summit

Resource Center. The Resource Center (room 201B at the Pennsylvania

Convention Center) will have 25 computer workstations connected to the

Internet.

The upcoming summit kicks off a national campaign to renew the spirit

of volunteerism, especially targeting America's youth. Summit

organizers expect participation from 1,700 community and state

delegates representing 140 rural and urban communities, all 50 states,

and five territories.

The www.americaspromise.org site is produced and designed by Issue

Dynamics Inc., of Washington, D.C. The interactive capabilities were

designed and developed by Viaduct Technologies of Bethesda, Md.

Bell Atlantic and NYNEX expect to merge soon, pending government

review.

Bell Atlantic Corp. (NYSE: BEL) is at the forefront of the new

communications, entertainment and information industry. In the

mid-Atlantic region, the company is the premier provider of local

telecommunications and advanced services. Globally, it is one of the

largest investors in the high-growth wireless communication

marketplace. Bell Atlantic also owns a substantial interest in

Telecom Corporation of New Zealand and is actively developing

high-growth national and international business opportunities in all

phases of the industry.

NYNEX is a global communications and media corporation that provides a

full range of services in the northeastern United States and

high-growth markets around the world, including the United Kingdom,

Thailand, Gibraltar, Greece, Indonesia, the Philippines, Poland,

Slovakia and the Czech Republic. The corporation is a leader in

telecommunications, wireless communications, directory publishing and

video entertainment and information services. NYNEX is also managing

sponsor of FLAG - Fiberoptic Link Around the Globe - the world's

longest undersea fiber optic communications cable.

NYNEX news releases are available on the Internet at

http://www.nynex.com, or via fax for no charge at 1-800-331-1214.

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