Mayor Plusquellic Proclaims Goodyear Appreciation Day in Akron

AKRON, Ohio, Aug. 6, 2003 -- Akron Mayor Donald L. Plusquellic today proclaimed Aug. 6, 2003, as "Goodyear Appreciation Day" at a ceremony held at The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company's world headquarters here.

A special plaque with the mayor's proclamation was presented to Robert J. Keegan, Goodyear Chairman and CEO, who accepted it on behalf of all Goodyear associates.

"Goodyear has been an important part of Akron for more than 100 years," Plusquellic said. "No other company has identified so much with our city and we're proud that Akron is Goodyear's home. On this day, the city gives thanks for all the gifts and good deeds that Goodyear has done for Akron."

The proclamation kicked off a day-long celebration that will climax at a fun-filled evening for Akron area youngsters, Goodyear associates and the entire community with Goodyear Night at the Akron Aeros baseball game.

Goodyear arranged for hundreds of Akron-area children to spend the evening watching the Aeros play the Erie SeaWolves. In the stands will be children from the Boys & Girls Clubs of Summit County, and the Akron Police Department accompanying a group from its youth summer camps. Also, the Akron Fire Department and Akron Children's Hospital will bring young patients from the Burn and Hematology Camps.

In ceremonies before the game, Keegan will accept the annual "Spirit of Akron Award" from the Aeros on behalf of Goodyear while the company's "Spirit of Goodyear" blimp floats above the ballpark. Keegan also is slated to throw out the game's first pitch, and Goodyear associate Jamie Kidd will sing the "National Anthem" before the game.

Goodyear, in conjunction with WAKR Radio, held a two-week long "Goodyear - Good Deed" contest that gave listeners the opportunity to share information about a good deed gesture. Winners were given tickets for tonight's game. Barb Lane of Kent and Lieutenant Robert Nation of the Kent State University Police Department were selected Grand Prize winners and, in addition to game tickets, received rides on the "Spirit of Goodyear." Lane nominated Nation's good deed of having saved a construction worker's life by giving CPR at the worker's job site.

Goodyear is the world's largest tire company. Headquartered in Akron, Ohio, the company manufactures tires, engineered rubber products and chemicals in more than 90 facilities in 28 countries. Goodyear employs about 92,000 people worldwide, including more than 3,000 in Akron.

NOTE TO EDITORS: A high-resolution photo of Plusquellic and Keegan is available for downloading at Goodyear's media Web site, www.goodyearnewsroom.com . Search for the keyword "appreciation" at the photo page, www.goodyearnewsroom.com/media/photos.html .