Union Pacific Among Finalists For U.S. Chamber Of Commerce Award OMAHA, NE -- The Business Civic Leadership Center, an affiliate of the United States Chamber of Commerce, has named Union Pacific a finalist in the Chamber’s prestigious Corporate Citizenship Award competition. The Chamber selected Union Pacific for The Principals’ Partnership, a program created to support high school principals in communities served by the nation’s largest railroad. The Corporate Citizenship Award recognizes businesses and chambers of commerce for specific community projects that contribute to better business and society relations in the United States. Union Pacific is one of five finalists in the category of "U.S. Community Service." The others are ArvinMeritor, Independence (Missouri) Chamber of Commerce, McGraw-Hill Companies and Morgan Stanley. Award winners are selected by distinguished leaders in the field of corporate citizenship, including past winners and the Business Civic Leadership Center’s (BCLC) board of directors. Winners will be announced Nov. 8 at the BCLC’s seventh annual Corporate Citizenship Awards Dinner at the Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium in Washington, D.C. "The U.S. Community Service award category is one of the most competitive because companies invest so much in their local communities," said Stephen Jordan, BCLC vice president and executive director. "As an award finalist, Union Pacific has found a unique way to make a difference." The Principals’ Partnership, the signature giving program of the Union Pacific Foundation, is one of America’s premier business and education partnerships. The program supports a network of 1,000 public high school principals in 21 states. A team of nationally recognized educators facilitates the exchange of knowledge, best practices and resources across the network, benefiting all member principals and their schools. Team members also develop a customized program for each principal, working with principals on key issues they have identified as areas of concern in their schools. Professional development opportunities, including the Summer Leadership Institute conference, are offered throughout the year. There is no cost to principals or school districts for Partnership activities. In addition, The Partnership maintains an award-winning public Web site (www.principalspartnership.com) featuring research briefs and case studies useful to all educators. It is estimated that The Partnership, through the participating principals, will reach approximately 71,000 teachers and 1 million students this year. "Union Pacific created The Principals’ Partnership because we believe strong leaders build strong schools," said Bob Turner, Union Pacific Foundation President and UP’s Senior Vice President for Corporate Relations. "Principals are the leaders in high schools and we want to support their commitment and dedication to provide an environment where quality learning can take place." In addition to the BCLC honor, The Principals’ Partnership has been recognized by state education associations in Wyoming, Utah, Idaho and Arizona as well as the National Association of Secondary School Principals. - Shannon Sherman, UP News Release
