MEDIA ADVISORY

Interior Secretary Gale A. Norton
to Accept Donation of Hybrid SUV for National Parks

WASHINGTON, D.C. - On behalf of the National Park Foundation, Secretary of the Interior Gale A. Norton will accept a donation of twelve (12) 2005 Ford Escape Hybrids donated for use in America's national parks. Ford Motor Company Chairman and CEO Bill Ford will present the keys to the fuel efficient vehicles donated by the company at a news conference and the 2005 Ford Escape Hybrid will also be available for test drives by credentialed media.

Secretary Norton will accept the donated vehicles in her role as chairman of the National Park Foundation, which raises private funding, provides strategic grants, develops partnerships and increases public awareness, all to benefit the nation's National Parks.

In association with the National Park Foundation, Ford Motor Company is a Proud Partner of America's national parks, and works closely with the Foundation and the National Park Service to help develop innovative transportation and environmental solutions in a creative partnership called 'Moving Parks Forward'.

Who: Gale A. Norton, Secretary of the Interior
Bill Ford, Chairman & CEO, Ford Motor Company

What: News conference announcing donation of twelve (12) 2005 Ford Escape Hybrid vehicles for use in America's national parks

When: Wednesday, June 16, 2004
10:30 a.m.

Where: Front Lawn - U.S. Department of the Interior - South Building
1951 Constitution Avenue, NW; Washington, D.C.

Credentialed media representatives are invited to participate in a brief media availability and photo op with Secretary Norton and Bill Ford to begin at the conclusion of the news conference.

The 2005 Ford Escape Hybrid will be available for test drives by media at Peace Monument circle (traffic circle at the intersection of Pennsylvania Avenue and First Street, NW, at the foot of the Capitol), immediately following the news conference. A shuttle bus will be available between the South Interior Building and the test drive site at the Capitol.