For Immediate Release

Public Relations Division
Public Affairs Department
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Bethlehem, PA 18016-7699
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HELSINKI -- October 2, 1996 -- The International Iron and Steel Institute Medal for "distinguished service to the international steel industry" was awarded to Curtis H. Barnette, chairman of Bethlehem Steel Corporation (United States), at the Institute's 30th Annual Conference here. The award was presented during IISI's annual dinner last night, which featured an address by Mr. Paavo Lipponen, Prime Minister of Finland.

The award was presented to Mr. Barnette by Mr. Takashi Imai, chairman of IISI and president of Nippon Steel Corporation, who said: "Mr. Barnette has served over the past three years as chairman and vice chairman, with a great deal of perceptiveness and genuine interest in the Institute. During this period, his vitality and leadership contributed significantly to the progress of our organization."

In accepting the award, Mr. Barnette said: In many respects, this award is a recognition of all those who have served IISI and the steel industry worldwide." In particular, he commended the officers and staff of IISI and his associates at Bethlehem Steel.

This marks the 19th time the Institute Medal has been presented by IISI. The previous recipient was Dr. Heinz Kriwet, chairman of Thyssen AG.

Mr. Barnette, who has been Bethlehem's chairman and chief executive officer since 1992, served as chairman of IISI in 1995 and vice chairman in 1994 and 1996, and will continue to serve as a member of IISI's Board of Directors.

A graduate of Yale Law School, the University of West Virginia and a Fulbright Scholar, Mr. Barnette joined Bethlehem Steel in 1967. Prior to being elected chairman of Bethlehem, he served as senior vice president and a director, and as general counsel and secretary of the corporation.

Mr. Barnette is a member of the President's Trade Advisory Committee, having been appointed to the Committee by President Clinton in 1994 and President Bush in 1989 and 1991. He is also vice chairman and a director of the American Iron and Steel Institute, a director of the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company, a trustee of Lehigh University and a member of the Policy Committee of the Business Roundtable and the Business Council.

The International Iron and Steel Institute is a non-profit research organization whose members are steel producing companies, national or regional steel federations, and steel research organisations in 52 countries. Together the countries in which IISI member companies are located produce over 70 percent of total world steel production.