ExxonMobil Increases Support of Hispanic Heritage Foundation to Further Heighten Latino Interest in Math, Science

DALLAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Exxon Mobil Corporation (NYSE:XOM) today announced it is expanding its partnership with the Hispanic Heritage Foundation by sponsoring the first Hispanic Heritage Award for Math and Science, increasing the corporation's support for the Foundation to $1.2 million.

Receiving the inaugural award, which will be presented during the 21st Hispanic Heritage Awards Gala tonight, is seismologist and science education advocate, Dr. Ines Cifuentes.

"I have been very fortunate that my professional and personal interests are aligned so that my passion for one is easily translated to the other," said Cifuentes, who has dedicated much of her professional life to advancing scientific study on seismology. More recently she has been working to improve the teaching of math and science in D.C. Public Schools.

"To be named as the Hispanic Heritage Award Winner for Math and Science is a deep honor and a testament to the power of education, hard work and the support of my family and friends. I would also like to commend ExxonMobil for its commitment to enhancing and improving math and science education as well as its progressive Hispanic outreach."

Beyond her professional accomplishments, Cifuentes is an active civic leader, serving on boards such as the CASA of Maryland and previously on the Jaime Escalante Public Charter School Board. Currently she works as the education and careers manager for the American Geophysical Union, where she encourages minority youth to study earth sciences.

Also being honored during the 21st Hispanic Heritage Awards Gala is Keone Hon, the 2007 National Hispanic Heritage Youth Award recipient in Engineering and Mathematics, an award also sponsored by ExxonMobil. Hon is a freshman at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where he is interested in pursuing a degree in mathematics and chemical engineering.

"Role models are critical to heighten interest among students and ensure their achievement of college-level education and careers in the math and science fields," said Rex W. Tillerson, chairman and chief executive of Exxon Mobil Corporation. "ExxonMobil's partnership with the Hispanic Heritage Foundation allows us to celebrate the exemplary accomplishments of individuals such as Dr. Cifuentes and Keone Hon and spotlights a distinguished group of influential leaders for the nation's Hispanic youth."

In addition to ExxonMobil's sponsorship of the Math and Science Award, the corporation has partnered with the Hispanic Heritage Foundation to host two events--Latino Leaders Network Issues Hour and a Latino Leaders Youth Luncheon honoring past and present Hispanic Heritage Youth Award winners.

The Latino Leaders Network Issues Hour will bring together a panel of educational experts, policy leaders and youth to discuss the trends among Latinos in math and science and how to increase their participation. On the panel are: Dr. Gerald Wheeler, president, National Science Teachers Association; Eletha Flores, 2006 National Hispanic Heritage Youth Awards recipient and student at MIT; John Winn, national director of training and incentive programs, National Math and Science Initiative; and Moira Lenehan, legislative assistant to Congressman Ruben Hinojosa (D-Texas).

Studies have shown that the United States will face a critical shortage of engineers, scientists and other technically trained workers in the near future. ExxonMobil believes it is important to encourage new generations to pursue studies and careers in fields involving math and science in order for the nation to compete successfully, prosper and be secure in the global community of the 21st century.

ExxonMobil supports organizations such as the Hispanic Heritage Foundation that help promote and create opportunities for minorities in the math and science fields as a way to improve math and science education. Recently the corporation has intensified its math and science outreach by contributing $125 million to the National Math and Science Initiative, which focuses on improvements in these areas from pre-school through higher education.

About Exxon Mobil Corporation

Exxon Mobil Corporation is a leading international energy company whose subsidiaries have operations in most of the world's countries. In the United States, ExxonMobil has significant exploration and production, refining and marketing and chemicals operations. ExxonMobil is one of the largest oil and gas producers and reserves holders in the United States, with a portfolio including Alaska, onshore Gulf Coast and deepwater Gulf of Mexico. In addition, there are approximately 13,000 Exxon and Mobil branded service stations in the U.S., as well as seven refineries, four of which are integrated petrochemical facilities. For more information about ExxonMobil, please visit the company's website at www.exxonmobil.com.

Source: Exxon Mobil Corporation

Released October 11, 2007