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Canon U.S.A. Teams with PGA TOUR Golfer Briny Baird and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children to Launch Canon4Kids Program and Help Find Missing Children A New Parent, Baird To Display A Different Child's Image On His Golf Bag During Each 2003 Tournament Contact Mike Virgintino LAKE SUCCESS, N.Y. (April 14, 2003) - Canon U.S.A., Inc., a subsidiary of Canon Inc. (NYSE: CAJ), PGA Tour golfer Briny Baird and the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) today announced Canon4Kids, a collaborative effort to help locate missing children across America. Beginning at this week's PGA Tour event -- The Heritage, April 14-20 at The Harbour Town Golf Links in Hilton Head, South Carolina -- and during all remaining 2003 tournaments in which he plays, Mr. Baird will place a photo of a local missing child on his golf bag along with the phone number (1-800-THE-LOST) for people to call if they recognize the child or have any valuable information. The first digital image of a child to appear on Mr. Baird's bag shows Brandon Wade of Valdosta, Georgia, who was last seen with his mother, Paula Ann Wade, at their home on October 14, 2002. He will be four years old in July. Based on U.S. Department of Justice research, nearly 800,000 children are reported missing annually - more than 2,000 each day. One of six children featured in NCMEC's photo-distribution network is found directly by people who see the photographs and then contact authorities. Canon4Kids was created by Canon U.S.A., a leader in digital imaging and longtime supporter of NCMEC. The children that appear in the Canon4Kids program are selected by NCMEC. "My daughter arrived a month ago, and I love being a first-time father," said Mr. Baird. "I quickly learned that one of the best things I could do to protect her is to have updated photos readily available. I would like everyone to look at pictures of missing children, because we need your help in bringing these children home. If you think you know anything about them, please call 1-800-THE-LOST." An additional component of Canon4Kids is tied to Mr. Baird's performance on the PGA Tour. For each birdie registered by Mr. Baird, Canon will donate $100 to NCMEC. Each eagle is worth $250 and $1,000 is donated for every hole-in-one. To date, Mr. Baird has scored 100 birdies and three eagles, adding up to $10,750. The 30-year-old Mr. Baird ranks 38th on the 2003 PGA Tour and Top 10 in the "total birdies" statistical category. His best finish is second place in the 2001 John Deere Classic. A colorful figure on the PGA Tour and the only player who wears an oversized Panama hat, Mr. Baird is the son of Butch Baird, the multiple tournament winner on the PGA Tour and Senior PGA Tour. Canon4Kids is just one Canon program that creates awareness about child abduction and the need to have updated digital photos of children. Canon's support of NCMEC has contributed to the recovery of 44 missing children in four years. Other programs include:
"All of these programs are part of our commitment to help NCMEC safely find every missing child," said Kinya Uchida, president and CEO, Canon U.S.A., Inc. "The new Canon4Kids program is just one more step to help NCMEC, and we appreciate Briny's involvement and support." To help recover children safely, Canon4Kids also aims to educate parents on ways to protect children and prevent them from becoming victimized. "Like Canon and Briny, we encourage other companies and athletes to promote the search for missing children and help us prevent child victimization," said Ernie Allen, president and CEO, National Center for Missing & Exploited Children. "The scope of the problem is enormous and there's great emotional reward for Briny and Canon knowing that their efforts may make a difference for children and parents." Alexandria, Virginia-based NCMEC is a 501(c)(3), nonprofit organization that works in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Justice's Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention. NCMEC has access to both the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) and National Law Enforcement Telecommunications Systems (NLETS). Crated in 1984, NCMEC has aided law enforcement officials in the search for more than 87,000 missing children. More than 71,000 children have been recovered as a result. For more information about NCMEC, call 1-800-THE-LOST (1-800-843-5678), or visit www.missingkids.com. Canon U.S.A., Inc. delivers consumer, business-to-business, and industrial imaging solutions. The Company is listed as one of Fortune's Most Admired Companies in America, and is ranked # 41 on the Business Week list of "Top 100 Brands." Its parent company Canon Inc. (NYSE:CAJ) is a top patent-holder of technology, ranking second overall in the U.S. in 2002, with global revenues of $24.5 billion. Canon U.S.A. employs approximately 11,000 people at over 30 locations. For more information, visit www.usa.canon.com. |