---

Goodyear Receives Award for Commitment to Diversity

25 August 1999

Goodyear Receives Award for Commitment to Diversity

    AKRON, Ohio, Aug. 25 -- Goodyear was recognized for its
commitment to supplier diversity during the recent National Urban League
convention activities in Houston, Texas.  Janet Bashen, president and CEO of
S. J. Bashen Corporation, a minority- and female-owned company, presented the
award to Goodyear.
    "S. J. Bashen had a vision in 1994 to partner with corporations to help
them mitigate or eliminate liability by effectively and efficiently responding
to claims of discrimination," said Bashen.  "We began by building a
relationship with the National Urban League and reaching out to those
companies that supported the Urban League's tenets.  Goodyear was among the
first major corporations to understand the value-added service that S. J.
Bashen provided.  It was refreshing to realize that they had a true commitment
to diversity, not only within their workforce but also within their supplier
community."
    Receiving the award on behalf of Goodyear was Jim McElroy, team leader
employment practices. "Goodyear has always been a strong supporter of the
Urban League and of what it has done for our communities.  We are committed to
providing opportunities for minority vendors and Bashen has always been a
provider of high quality services," said McElroy.  "In 1998 Goodyear spent
over $35 million with minority businesses in the United States.  We are proud
of our commitment to minority vendors and diversity."
    Goodyear's partnership with the National Urban League dates back for more
than a decade.  "We recognized a long time ago the value in diversifying our
involvement in various organizations.  Our goal is to continue to grow our
company.  One way of doing this is by recognizing the positive programs and
agendas of organizations, such as the National Urban League, and understanding
that through participation in events, such as the national convention, the
opportunity is there to reach potential customers and new vendors," said Don
Harper, vice president human resources planning and development.