NJN Public Television & Radio
13th Annual Gala Celebrating New Jersey’s Best Neighbors

STATEWIDE—The 13th Annual NJN Foundation Gala will be held on Wednesday, June 14, 2006 at the Simon Forum at Drew University, Madison, New Jersey with a reception at 6 pm followed by dinner and program at 7 pm. The Gala will recognize some of the state’s best neighbors for providing friendship and support to NJN and the residents of New Jersey.

Kenneth D. Lewis, Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President, Bank of America, will be honored for his role as leader of one of the world’s largest financial institutions. In 2002, Lewis was named Banker of the Year by American Banker and Top Chief Executive Officer by U.S. Banker. Bank of America is a generous supporter of NJN’s educational programs and is the sponsor for NJN’s Teacher Training Institutes that provide professional training in the use of media in the classroom to enrich learning and prepare children for success in school.

New Jersey Resources (NJR) will receive NJN’s Corporate Citizenship Award for the company’s outstanding commitment to education, the environment, the safety and security of our communities, and volunteer service. NJR, the parent company of New Jersey Natural Gas, provides retail and wholesale energy services to customers in New Jersey, as well as other states and Canada. The award will be accepted by Laurence M. Downes, NJR’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer and former NJN Foundation Trustee. Downes recently completed his term as Chairman of the Natural Gas Council and the American Gas Association where he currently serves as Director.

“We are so pleased to be able to pay tribute to some of our most valued neighbors. Ken Lewis of Bank of America as well as New Jersey Resources and its leader, Larry Downes, have contributed to the economy of our state while being generous and responsible neighbors who take the lead in giving back to New Jersey’s citizens. Their support has enhanced NJN’s commitment to the people of New Jersey and our mission to educate, inform and inspire, as well as improve the state’s homeland security,” said Elizabeth Christopherson, NJN’s Executive Director.

The annual gala is the major fundraising event of the NJN Foundation, the nonprofit arm of the state’s television and radio network. Serving as Dinner Chair of the Foundation’s 2006 Gala is Ann M. Limberg, President Bank of America, New Jersey. As the Bank’s senior executive for New Jersey, Limberg provides statewide leadership for business, civic and philanthropic activities. She is also the Market Executive for the Private Bank for New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Long Island.

NJN is pleased to present three other awards that are named for some of New Jersey’s most notable residents. The Thomas H. Kean NJN Partnership Award for the Arts will be given to the Actors’ Fund of America, celebrating its 125th anniversary, and to the New Jersey Theatre Alliance, on its 25th anniversary in contributing to the rich cultural life of our state. Joseph P. Benincasa will accept the Award on behalf of the Actors’ Fund and John McEwen for the Theatre Alliance. The Honorable Brendan T. Byrne and Ruthi Zinn Byrne Public Service Award will be given to Shavar Jeffries, Board President of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Newark; and to Felix Rouse, Chief Executive Officer of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Newark. The Honorable Robert E. Littell and Virginia Littell Public Service Award will be presented to Cheryl F. Halpern, Chair of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.

Gala guests will be entertained by Broadway, recording and concert headliner, Karen Mason, who created the role of Tanya in Mama Mia!; and Patrizio Buanne, Italian-born baritone, whose classic style was inspired by singers of yesteryear and whose album “The Italian,” was released in January 2006.

Proceeds from the Gala will raise funds to support NJN’s Uniquely New Jersey award-winning programs that include NJN News, Another View, Images/Imagenes, On the Record, and Reporters Roundtable; and to advance NJN’s growing educational programs for children and adults on-air and in the community, as well as to strengthen NJN’s critical role as a communication resource for homeland security.