Governor Pataki Honors NYNEX Chairman For His Commitment to New York and Education

June 27, 1997

CONTACT: Susan Kraus 212-395-0500

Governor Pataki Honors NYNEX Chairman For His Commitment
to New York and Education

NEW YORK--NYNEX Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Ivan Seidenberg was honored
last night by Governor George Pataki for his personal commitment to educational excellence
and leadership of his company's efforts to bring technology into the classroom. The
Governor's wife, Libby Pataki, recognized Seidenberg during the annual Robert F.
Wagner Memorial Dinner to benefit the Governor's Committee on Scholastic Achievement.
Last night's dinner raised over $750,000 -- of which over $500,000 will fund more
than 400 scholarships for the 1997-1998 academic school year as well as help fund
the Governor's Committee mentoring program.

Accepting the honor, Seidenberg said, "Every young person in New York
State must be provided an opportunity to go to college. Reaching this goal will require
a real commitment of resources by both the public and private sectors.

"New York-based companies need a well-educated, highly skilled workforce
to compete in the global economy of the 21st century. We need to develop our own
brain trust right here -- rather than see jobs migrate to the Sunbelt or out of the
country."

Seidenberg also thanked the New York corporations and those who sponsored
the event for their contributions to educational initiatives in the state.

Pataki commended Seidenberg for the substantial commitment NYNEX has made
to education under his leadership. Some examples:

In Buffalo, a NYNEX-funded $1.4 million Excellence in Education Program provides
interdisciplinary training workshops at the University of Buffalo. These funds support
state-of-the-art interactive video technology that transmits a broad range of instruction
to remote sites in Western New York's Southern Tier Region.

In Washington, D.C., funding went to Gallaudet University to digitize and
post its vast collection of materials dealing with the deaf and the hearing-impaired.

Last August, the company announced the largest single grant from NYNEX Foundation--$1
million--to support the National Urban League's technology centers in New York and
New England's inner cities. These centers will provide students access to technology
and training. Instructors will teach computer skills for work and school, provide
community networking for libraries and schools, and help the students to find jobs.

In addition to corporate contributions, NYNEX's employees are actively involved
in their own communities. During 1996, The NYNEX Pioneers of New York State contributed
more than 935,000 hours of volunteer service to education-related activities, such
as Junior Achievement, training for school children and the elderly in the use of
the emergency 911 service, service as school aid volunteers, and various mentoring
programs.

The company also gives out more than $1.4 million through a host of scholarships
that primarily benefit students of diverse backgrounds including a new scholarship
program awarding nearly 230 Diversity Scholarships, totaling $450,000, to promising
students throughout our region.

Since it was founded by New York City Mayor Robert F. Wagner in 1955 as the
Mayor's Committee on Scholastic Achievement, the Governor's Committee on Scholastic
Achievement has given out more than $4.5 million to 3,000 academically qualified
students.

During the 1996-1997 academic year, the Governor's Committee awarded $400,000
in scholarships to 330 students from New York City.

NYNEX is a global communications and media corporation that provides a full
range of services in the northeastern United States and high-growth markets around
the world, including the United Kingdom, Thailand, Gibraltar, Greece, Indonesia,
the Philippines, Poland, and the Czech and Slovak republics. The corporation is a
leader in telecommunications, wireless communications, directory publishing and video
entertainment and information services. NYNEX is also managing sponsor of FLAG --
Fiberoptic Link Around the Globe -- the world's longest undersea fiber optic communications
cable. NYNEX news releases are available on the Internet at http://www.ba.com/nr/pastnews.html
or via fax for no charge at 1-800-331-1214.