Monday February 24th, 2003

Gibson Foundation presents U.S. Rep. Steny Hoyer with Congress guitar

Gibsons chairman and CEO Henry Juszkiewicz presented a special Les Paul "Congress" guitar to U.S. Rep. Steny H. Hoyer (D-Md.) Sunday (2/23) in recognition of the House Democratic Whips strong support of music education. Juszkiewicz made the presentation on behalf of the new Gibson Foundation at a reception at the Hit Factory, the new home of Gibsons Entertainment Relations office in New York.

Gibson Chairman and CEO Henry Juszkiewicz (r) presents U.S. Rep. Hoyer the "Congress" Les Paul

The custom-made Les Paul has a gold finish with the image of the Capitol dome and the inscription "United We Stand." The fingerboard has "108th Congress, 2003" inlaid in mother-of-pearl.

Rep. Hoyer has secured major funding for several music-in-education programs over the past several years. As senior member of the House Appropriations Committee, he has led the fight for funding for the Grammy Foundations "Grammy in the Schools" program, the Gibson Foundations "Kids in Tune" program, and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fames "Rockin the Schools" programs. Collectively, $1.4 million has been allocated for the three programs.

Gene Maillard (r), executive director of the Gibson Foundation, congratulates Congressman Hoyer

Gibson Guitar Corp. has a longstanding desire to further music education through legislative and community opportunities. The new Gibson Foundation was established to expand the companys numerous charitable activities. The presentation to Rep. Hoyer is the Foundations first official activity.