Bell Atlantic Awards Richmond, Va., Resident the Company's Highest Honor

Bell Atlantic Awards Richmond, Va., Resident the Company's Highest Honor

Irving Taylor Recognized for Outstanding Community Service to the
Richmond Boys' Choir

March 30, 1998

NEW YORK -- Irving Taylor of Richmond, Va., was awarded the company's
highestemployee honor, the Leaders in Excellence Award.

Taylor, Bell Atlantic - Virginia director for External Affairs, was
recognized for helping to form the Richmond Boys' Choir and for being
a role model for "at-risk" youngsters in the area.

The Bell Atlantic Leaders in Excellence Award will be presented each
year to individual employees and employee teams who have demonstrated
a devotion to quality, along with a commitment to customers or an
outstanding dedication to community service.

Taylor is one of seven individuals and 18 employee teams who will be
honored tomorrow at area celebrations hosted by Bell Atlantic's senior
executives. Honorees were selected from more than 2,000 nominees.

"Congratulations to our champions, who have set a new benchmark
against which future accomplishments will be measured," said Bell
Atlantic Vice Chairman Ivan Seidenberg. "Their best-in-class
performance and dedication to excellence is a model for us all."

Taylor helped establish a Board of Directors for the choir, which he
now chairs. He developed a budget and fundraising plan, secured a
donation from Bell Atlantic, and developed and implemented a marketing
plan for the choir.

The Richmond Boy's Choir, now a year old, encourages its members to
realize their potential by developing personal, academic and musical
excellence. All members are required to maintain a "B" average. So
far, every member has met that goal.

This year the choir has performed at the NAACP Freedom Fund Gala, at
the Richmond Forum and was featured in a joint concert with the
Richmond Youth Symphony. On April 9 and 10, the choir will visit the
Boys Choir of Harlem, after which the Richmond choir was modeled.

Note to Editors: Photographs are available upon request.

Bell Atlantic - formed through the merger of Bell Atlantic and NYNEX -
is at the forefront of the new communications and information
industry. With 40.5 million telephone access lines and six million
wireless customers worldwide, Bell Atlantic companies are premier
providers of advanced wireline voice and data services, market leaders
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largest investors in high-growth global communications markets, with
operations and investments in 21 countries.

Copyright © 1998 Bell Atlantic Corporation