DaimlerChrysler Corporation Fund Sponsors Freedom and Peace Forum at Wayne State University

Three Nobel Peace Prize laureates to speak on a panel with Sen. Carl Levin

AUBURN HILLS, Mich., May 5 -- The DaimlerChrysler Corporation Fund will sponsor a public symposium with three Nobel Peace Prize winners today at Wayne State University.

The laureates -- all of whom are women -- are Shirin Ebadi (2003) of Iran, who received the Nobel Peace Prize for her advocacy of human rights and democracy, specifically for the rights of women and children; Jody Williams (1997) of Vermont, whose mission is to clear the world of land mines; and Rigoberta Menchu Tum (1992) of Guatemala, whose emphasis is social justice for indigenous peoples. The three laureates will speak on the theme: The Role of Governments in Achieving or Obstructing Worldwide Peace.

Michigan Supreme Court Justice Maura D. Corrigan will introduce the laureates who, after speaking, will join a panel with Sen. Carl Levin.

"The DaimlerChrysler Corporation Fund has a tradition of supporting human rights issues that we believe can make a difference in the global communities where we conduct business," said Frank Fountain, Chrysler Group's Senior Vice President for External Affairs and Public Policy and President of the Fund. "As a global and local corporate citizen, Chrysler Group is pleased that it can support a public forum with three Nobel Peace Prize laureates -- each having dedicated their life to making a difference."

The public forum is part of the 20-year anniversary of the Wayne State University Honors Program. The event will be held in the Wayne State University General Lectures Auditorium. For more information, the public can contact 248-643-6167.

Wayne State University is a premier institution of higher education offering more than 350 academic programs through 11 schools and colleges to more than 33,000 students in metropolitan Detroit. Its well-respected graduates represent a large force in Michigan industry and the engineering field.

Now in its 54th year, the DaimlerChrysler Corporation Fund is the primary source of charitable grants made by DaimlerChrysler Corporation. The Fund annually supports hundreds of charitable organizations with an emphasis on community growth and enrichment, arts and culture, education, and youth development programs throughout the United States and, increasingly, the world.