ExxonMobil Chairman Participates in Hispanic Engineering, Science & Technology (HESTEC) Week

EDINBURG, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Rex W. Tillerson, chairman and chief executive officer of Exxon Mobil Corporation (NYSE:XOM), today urged Hispanic students to pursue opportunities in math and science and become part of a new generation of scientists and engineers required to keep the nation a technological and economic leader.

Tillerson made the call to action in a speech to more than 1,000 middle and high school students, educators and business leaders at the University of Texas-Pan American's sixth annual HESTEC Week.

"Hispanic Engineering, Science and Technology Week provides a unique and valuable opportunity to focus on the important contribution Latino students can make to strengthen the United States' leadership as an innovation nation," said Tillerson. "ExxonMobil is proud to support HESTEC's work and other Hispanic outreach initiatives."

The energy industry is at the cutting edge of technology and requires constant innovation, he said.

"It is important that we continue to find new and better ways to develop energy resources in a safe and environmentally responsible manner. As today's students, you could help make that happen."

While at the University, Tillerson participated in Robotics Expo Day which is part of the HESTEC Week, an annual initiative founded and hosted by the university and Congressman Ruben Hinojosa. The Robotics Expo, sponsored by ExxonMobil, provides students with the opportunity to participate in hands-on workshops, compete in a robotics competition and interact with new and innovative technologies.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the Hispanic population is the youngest and fastest-growing in the United States but trails other ethnic groups in completing high school and pursuing educational opportunities in science and engineering.

In addition to Robotics Expo, ExxonMobil also sponsors Latinas Day, a series of panel discussions on September 26 on a range of educational, business and leadership topics focused on young women and their mothers, and the 18th Annual National Society of Hispanic MBA's (NSHMBA) Conference and Career Expo in Houston from October 4-6, 2007.

"Celebrating its sixth anniversary, HESTEC is an innovative program that promotes the importance of science literacy to thousands of students, their parents and teachers," said Rep. Hinojosa. "Through the involvement and support of corporations such as ExxonMobil, HESTEC has become a national model that has had a tremendous impact in improving students' attitudes toward careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics."

Beyond Rep. Hinojosa's instrumental role and long-standing support of HESTEC, he also assists educational and workforce-improvement programs. He serves as chairman of the Education Task Force for the Congressional Hispanic Caucus and has had tremendous success in vaulting Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) to a position of prominence. In fact, the University of Texas-Pan American is one of several HSIs to receive federal support for educational development under the current America COMPETES bill, which recently passed on August 9.

The National Academies 2005 blue ribbon panel report "Rising Above the Gathering Storm" concluded that improving American students' performance in math and science coursework is the most effective way to increase the Unites States' global competitiveness.

ExxonMobil supports other initiatives designed to improve math and science education, including an investment of $125 million in the National Math and Science Initiative, the Mickelson ExxonMobil Teachers Academy, the Bernard Harris Summer Science Camps, scholarships, programs supporting education of women and other under-represented groups and grants to many colleges and universities.

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.

About HESTEC Week

Six years ago, The University of Texas-Pan American and Congressman Ruben Hinojosa (TX-15) founded and launched Hispanic Engineering, Science and Technology (HESTEC) Week -- an initiative designed to generate interest by students, teachers and the community in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) fields and careers. By working together with corporations and federal agencies, HESTEC seeks to meet the need for greater Hispanic representation in higher-education pursuit and success and the assurance of a diverse, national workforce.

Source: Exxon Mobil Corporation

Released September 27, 2007