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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
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Wal-Mart renews financial commitment to LULAC National Educational Service Centers.

Washington, D.C. (August 17, 1999) — Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. has contributed $20,000 to the LULAC National Educational Service Centers (LNESC) scholarship fund for deserving Hispanic youth across the United States. Forty Hispanic students will receive college scholarship grants in both undergraduate and graduate levels. LNESC is an affiliate of the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), and was established as a separate non-profit organization to provide educational programs for Hispanics.

"As a corporate leader in the U.S. Hispanic community, we have a responsibility to support issues that benefit the Latino community and the nation," said Emerson Goodwin, Director of the Wal-Mart Foundation. "For Latinos across the country, education is the number one issue and through our involvement with LNESC, we feel Wal-Mart is addressing this critical need in a positive manner," he added.

Hispanic students have historically been under-represented in the area of higher education — for many, the lack of financial resources is the main reason. "Wal-Mart's continued investment in these students reflects its commitment to the education of Hispanics," said Richard Roybal, Executive Director of LNESC. According to Roybal, the fund's successful operation is a result of corporate citizenship efforts by companies like Wal-Mart.

This year, Wal-Mart was named by HISPANIC and Latina Style magazines as one of the foremost companies in the U.S. for employment, vendor and economic development opportunities. Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. operates more than 2,400 stores and 450 Sam's Clubs in the United States. Internationally, the company operates more than 720 units. Wal-Mart employs more than 815,000 associates in the United States and 135,000 internationally. In 1998, the company raised and donated more than $127 million for charitable organizations.

From left to right: Brent Wilkes, Executive Director, LULAC; Richard Roybal, Executive Director, LULAC National Educational Service Centers; and Emerson Goodwin, Director, Wal-Mart Foundation.

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