ADVISORY/The Colorado Education Association and EchoStar Communications Corporation to Premiere First Episode of NEA Safe Schools Now Network Television Series at Press Conference

Business Wire, Jan 19, 2000

City Desks, News & Assignment Editors/Education Writers

ADVISORY...for Thursday (Jan. 20)

--(BUSINESS WIRE)

                            MEDIA ADVISORY

                        www.safeschoolsnow.org

WHO:     The Colorado Education Association and
         EchoStar Communications Corporation

WHAT:    A news conference to premiere the NEA Safe Schools Now
         Network, created in response to school safety concerns
         following the events at Columbine High School in 1999

WHEN:    Thursday, Jan. 20, 2000, at 10:30 a.m.

WHERE:   The Colorado Education Association office,
         1500 Grant Street, Columbine Room, Denver
         (Corner of Colfax and Grant)

Colorado Education Association President Beverly Ausfahl and EchoStar Communications Corporation, of Littleton, Colo., will premiere the first episode of the NEA Safe Schools Now Network television series on Thursday, January 20, at a 10:30 a.m. press conference. A 25-minute screening of the first episode will begin at 10:45 a.m., with questions and answers to follow.

Joining in the news event will be Jefferson County Education Association President Jane Goff, Jefferson County School Board President Jon DeStefano, and Reg Weaver, Vice President of the 2.5 million member National Education Association.

Created in response to growing concerns about school safety following the fatal shootings of 13 people at Columbine High School in April 1999, the NEA Safe Schools Now Network is a 10-part television series aimed at helping schools and communities develop strategies to create secure and nurturing environments for our nation's children.

The first hour-long show, Reasons for Hope, examines the aftermath of the tragedy at Columbine as seen through the eyes of community members and school district representatives. The second part of the program looks at EARLY ALLIANCE, an early intervention project in use in some Columbia, S.C., elementary schools.

To further the reach of the program, EchoStar's DISH Network has donated 1,000 satellite dishes and free air time to school districts nationwide.

The program will be available to media at the following satellite coordinates: C-band: Galaxy 7, Transponder 02, Freq. 3740 MHz; KU BAND - Panamsat SBS 6, Transponder 09, Freq: 11921.0 MHz. Horizontal Polarity.

Trouble number: Dave Ducey at NEA: 202/822-7273.