Chrysler Group Awards Prizes for 'Spirit in the Words' At the National Association of Hispanic Journalists' 21st Convention

NEW YORK, July 15 -- A mix of metaphors and real- life cultural experiences enabled three poets to capture the top prizes at the "Spirit in the Words" poetry contest during the National Association of Hispanic Journalists' 21st convention in New York last month.

Luis Ramos, an actor who has appeared on several television shows such as Law and Order, Just Shoot Me, The Drew Carey Show, Mad About You, and Spike Lee's "Do the Right Thing" movie, hosted the event.

Diane Parker, Director of Diversity & Staffing for the Associated Press in New York, won first place and $1,000. Benjamin Miller, a New York-based actor and hip-hop artist, and Tiffanie Joi McKinnon, a public relations consultant at Multicultural Marketing News in New York, won second and third places, respectively. Parker moved the crowd as she spouted lyrics about Fannie Lou Hammer, an African-American Civil Rights leader born in the early 1900s, who coined the phrase, "I'm sick and tired of being sick and tired."

An independent panel of judges, composed of print and broadcast journalists, selected the winning poets based on their delivery, content and creativity.

"The 'Spirit in the Words' poetry program is Chrysler Group's way of providing an avenue for poets and writers to celebrate the spoken word," said Kenneth Levy, Chrysler Group Vice President of Communications. "Chrysler Group is proud to sponsor this event, and celebrate the journalists who offer us a glimpse of their unique cultural experiences through poetry."

The "Spirit in the Words" poetry contest is offered at the diverse journalism conferences throughout the U.S. (Native American, Hispanic, Asian and African American). The program invites participants to read and perform their works, in an effort to further the art of poetry. The poetry program began in Detroit in 1994. At that time, 47 journalists and poets attended the event. Today, the program reaches more than 4,000 journalists and aspiring poets throughout the U.S.

NOTE TO EDITORS: Additional information and news from DaimlerChrysler is available on the Internet at: www.media.daimlerchrysler.com .