Team DuPont Reflects on 9-11

LOUDON, N.H. (Sept. 12, 2002) -- DuPont and four-time NASCAR Winston Cup Series champion Jeff Gordon continually demonstrate their strengths through their exceptional professional successes. More important is how they continue to exhibit honor and compassion as part of the entire global community. The "Unity. Strength. Hope." banner that will appear on the rear deck lid of the No. 24 DuPont Chevrolet for the next two races exemplifies the thoughts and actions of DuPont and Gordon over the past year. After the initial shock of the events of Sept. 11, 2001, DuPont and Gordon made significant donations to relief funds and used what they respectively had to offer that would be of value to those affected. In addition to a $5 million contribution, which primarily went to support the educational needs of approximately 1,000 children of those firefighters, police officers and other uniformed emergency response personnel who lost their lives, DuPont used its strengths as a science company to provide assistance. The uniforms that many of the rescue workers wear in their everyday jobs are made of DuPont protective materials including Nomex fire-resistant apparel, worn by fire fighters and Gordon himself, and bullet-resistant vests made of Kevlar. The science company's offerings to the cleanup efforts included emergency response equipment, hazardous materials response teams as well as 100 sets of "doggie booties," made from puncture-resistant Kevlar. Tyvek protective coveralls were worn by forensic detectives at Ground Zero to protect them from contaminants. "The events of September 11 were truly devastating," said DuPont chairman and CEO Charles O. Holliday, Jr. "We were proud to be able to contribute 200 years of accumulated experience and knowledge toward cleanup efforts and to have provided additional safety measures to help ensure that no additional harm came to the heroes who worked so diligently at Ground Zero on behalf of America." Through the Jeff Gordon Foundation, in addition to the many monetary donations that are made to various causes, Gordon, as a celebrity has made an impact through spending personal time with those in crisis. In addition to a $100,000 donation to the 9-11 fund, Gordon visited and prayed with the cleanup crew at Ground Zero, has visited New York fire and police stations numerous times and even helped NASCAR donate driving simulators to the FDNY. The simulators are used to train drivers of fire trucks. "The emotional and physical strength of all of those who worked tirelessly in the search and recovery, and cleanup efforts after the almost unbearable tragedy of September 11 is unbelievable," Gordon said. "So if just spending a little time with these folks through those tough times took their mind off what they were doing and brought a smile to their faces, even if for just a few minutes to help show that America was really there with them in spirit, then it was certainly the least I could do." One year later we look to a future of unity, strength and hope.