For Immediate Release
Public Relations Division
Public Affairs Department
1170 Eighth Avenue
Bethlehem, PA 18016-7699
(610) 694-3711 - Phone
(610) 694-1509 - Fax
AISI 1998 GENERAL MEETING
THURSDAY MAY 21, 1998
It gives me great pleasure to announce that the American Iron and Steel Institute has bestowed its most prestigious honor, the Gary Memorial Medal, on Hank Barnette, Chairman of Bethlehem Steel Corporation.
The Gary Memorial Medal was established by the American Iron and Steel Institute in 1927 to honor Elbert H. Gary, who was the institute's founder and first president. The condition for awarding the medal require outstanding achievement in the iron and steel industry. Our recipient this year, Curtis H. Barnette, known to his friends both here and abroad as Hank, eminently fulfills this requirement.
He entered the steel industry at Bethlehem Steel in 1967 in the legal department and moved steadily up the ladder to General Counsel in 1977 and finally in 1992 to Chairman and CEO. In addition to his responsibilities at Bethlehem Steel, he served with distinction as Chairman of both the American Iron and Steel Institute and the International Iron and Steel Institute. Outside of Bethlehem Steel, his advice and counsel have been sought at the very highest levels of government, which, on behalf of the industry has been very valuable. He has been appointed to several important committees by three presidents of the United States. In addition to this activity, there are three specific areas intimately connected with the steel industry in which Hank has rendered outstanding service. These include the program for the ultra-light steel automobile body, international trade and trade policy, and strong efforts to protect the environment.
During his tenure as Chairman of the International Iron and Steel Institute, he did much to expand the program for the development of the ultra-light steel automobile body, which made significant progress. The number of steel companies involved in the program was expanded to 35 on a worldwide basis, and he also did much to advance phase two of this program which was the actual construction of several automobile models, one of which is currently on display here in Toronto.
In terms of international trade, Hank has been a strong supporter of the NAFTA agreement, while upholding the rights of participating countries to strengthen and vigorously enforce their respective trade laws.
In terms of the environment, he has presented a balanced view which can be summed up in his statement "as far as the environment is concerned, steel is the material of choice," particularly because of, among other things, its recyclability. A most usual decision was made in the matter of the closure of the Bethlehem steel plant. Hank directed that the brownfield site left by this closure be developed into a number of facilities that will contribute to the culture, recreation, and commercial aspects of the region and thus provide a large number of jobs. This is being done in a partnership involving Bethlehem Steel, the city of Bethlehem, Lehigh University, and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
Much more could be said of Hank's achievements and contributions to the iron and steel industry. His career can be best summed up by the citation printed on the parchment which accompanies the Gary medal. It says:
The Gary Memorial Medal is awarded to Curtis H. Barnette for his recognized leadership and statesmanship on the vital public policy issues of his time, for his steadfast service to the nation as advisor to the highest levels of government, and for his deep commitment and wise counsel to the Institute and to the steel industry.
