Ford Recieves "Don't Give up the Ship!" Award.

Washington, D.C. - Jan. 26, 2010 - The Sequoia Restaurant announced today that Ford Motor Company is the recipient of its first "Don't Give up the Ship!" Award.

The award states, "As the only American automobile company to avoid bankruptcy and turn down a government bailout, Ford exemplifies the spirit of the award which honors an individual or corporation that exhibits ingenuity, tenacity, grace under pressure and the strength of character to persevere against any and all odds to get the job done." The honor will be presented in the form of a congratulatory full-page, color ad in the Jan. 26 Washington Post, the morning Ford Motor Co. CEO Alan Mulally gives the keynote speech at the Washington Auto Show's (WAS) Public Policy Days and one day before the start of the 2010 WAS on Jan. 27th.

"We are proud to launch the "Don't Give Up the Ship" Award by recognizing the Ford Motor Company, an iconic American corporation whose actions set an example for all of us," said Michael Weinstein, CEO of Ark Restaurants, the parent company of the Sequoia Restaurant.

In the War of 1812, Captain James Lawrence, in command of the U.S.S. Chesapeake, engaged in a bloody battle just outside Boston Harbor with a British frigate. Lying mortally wounded, the heroic captain spoke his legendary last words: 'Don't give up the ship!' That intrepid mantra is a pertinent way to remind Washingtonians and visitors, who are seeking the essence of our nation's capitol, about Sequoia's grand heritage of being named after America's celebrated presidential yacht. Bestowing, when appropriate, a "Don't give up the Ship!" Award to recognize and commemorate an heroic and unique act of patriotism in these trying times will not only make the restaurant's staff proud, but will also please its patrons and all the concerned citizens of our great nation.

BACKGROUND

Under the leadership of Chief Executive Officer Alan R. Mulally, Ford Motor Company was the only one of the Big Three American Automakers to refuse government bailout money and to avoid government-sponsored bankruptcy. The company's persistence during one of the toughest years in history has paid off; in the third quarter of 2009, it reported its first profitable quarter in two years with earnings of $1 billion. According to its web site, Ford posted higher sales for every brand, resulting in a 33 percent increase in sales in December over the previous year. Additionally, "every consumer metric about the Ford brand - including favorable opinion, consideration, shopping and intention to buy - ended the year at record levels. In fact, favorable opinion is up more than 20 percent from the beginning of the year, and intention to buy Ford increased more than 30 percent."

"Winning Car of the Year honors for the Ford Fusion Hybrid and Truck of the Year for the Ford TransitConnect is a tremendous 'sugar high' for everyone at Ford," said Mark Field, Ford America's President, in the Detroit New (Jan. 13, 2010),

Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Michigan, manufactures or distributes automobiles across six continents with about 200,000 employees and 90 plants worldwide.

Named for the legendary yacht that proudly served ten presidents, the spacious, spectacular Sequoia Restaurant has been a favorite of many of Washington's most notable citizens and has hosted many of the capital's most memorable parties, fundraisers and special events for the last two decades. Located in Washington Harbor and offering a panoramic view of the Potomac and many of Washington's famous landmarks, the restaurant boasts a summertime seating capacity of 1000 and a newly designed interior that easily accommodates 600 with banquet accommodations for up to 2,000.