ING's New Role - 'National Teacher of the Year, Presented by ING'

ING U.S. Financial Services (ING) today launched its new role as presenting sponsor of the National Teacher of the Year Program -- a project of the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO). ING executives, including Tom McInerney, CEO of ING U.S. Financial Services, join officials of CCSSO at the White House as President George W. Bush personally names Jason Kamras as the 2005 National Teacher of the Year.

"We are excited to have the opportunity to support the Council of Chief State School Officers' efforts in recognizing and championing excellence in education. We believe it is very important to support an education system that seeks to enable all children to succeed in school, work and life," said Tom McInerney, CEO, ING U.S. Financial Services.

McInerney continued, "ING is thrilled at this privilege to be the first- ever presenting sponsor of The National Teacher of the Year -- a program that spans more than 50 years as the most prestigious national honors program that focuses attention on excellence in teaching." He added, "We are especially proud to stand alongside the Council of Chief State School Officers to celebrate teachers across the country in Elementary and Secondary Education."

The National Teacher of the Year Program, presented by ING, is a project of the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO) and is sponsored by Scholastic Inc.

Today, Jason Kamras will be officially named the fifty-fifth National Teacher of the Year. Kamras, a mathematics teacher at John Philip Sousa Middle School in Washington D.C., will be joined at the ceremony by fellow National finalists: Stanley Murphy, a social studies teacher at San Diego High School in San Diego, California; Vicki Goldsmith, an English, Women's Studies and Theories of Knowledge teacher at Theodore Roosevelt High School in Des Moines, Iowa; and Tamara Steen, an English and art teacher at Mabton Junior-Senior High School in Mabton, Washington. In addition, all State Teachers of the Year will be honored at the Ceremony at the White House.

"The passion exemplified by the National and State Teachers of the Year is truly impressive -- and we are humbled by the commitment and devotion teachers across our country give towards educating our children and young people," said McInerney.

The National Teacher of the Year Program, presented by ING, is a project of the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO) and is sponsored by Scholastic Inc. The program focuses public attention on teaching excellence and is the oldest and most prestigious awards program for teachers -- and is honored in an annual Ceremony at the White House. Kamras, the fifty-fifth National Teacher of the Year and the first to represent the District of Columbia, begins a year as a full-time national and international spokesperson for education on June 1, 2005.

Today marks a new chapter for the program with the introduction of the "National Teacher of the Year Program, Presented by ING." ING U.S. Financial Services (ING) believes in the importance of honoring excellence in education, and is committed to helping education employees plan for their financial futures. For more than 35 years, ING USFS has been providing an array of financial services, including 403(b) plans, to kindergarten through 12th grade educators and other employees of nonprofit organizations. ING is proud to join the Council of Chief State School Officers and their half-century legacy in honoring the National Teacher of the Year.

   Press inquiries:
   ING - Cindy Schaus, 515-698-7607, cindy.schaus@us.ing.com
   ING - Caroline Campbell, 770.618.3801, caroline.campbell@us.ing.com
   CCSSO - Jon Quam, 202.336.7047
   CCSSO - Andy Drewlinger, 202.336.7011

  About ING:

ING Group is a global financial institution offering banking, insurance and asset management to more than 60 million private, corporate and institutional clients in more than 50 countries. With a diverse workforce of more than 113,000 people, ING comprises a broad spectrum of prominent companies that increasingly serve their clients under the ING brand.

In the U.S., the ING family of companies offers a comprehensive array of financial services to retail and institutional clients, which include financial planning, life insurance, retirement plans, mutual funds, managed accounts, alternative investments, direct banking, institutional investment management, annuities, employee benefits, and reinsurance. ING holds top-tier rankings in key U.S. markets and serves more than 14 million customers across the nation. For more information, visit http://www.ing.com/ .

About The Teacher of the Year Program, Presented by ING:

A committee of representatives from 14 national education organizations chooses the National Teacher of the Year from among the State Teachers of the Year, including those representing American Samoa, Department of Defense Education Activity, District of Columbia, Northern Mariana Islands, and U.S. Virgin Islands. The other 2005 National Teacher of the Year finalists are Stanley Murphy, a social studies teacher at San Diego High School in San Diego, California; Vicki Goldsmith, an English, Women's Studies and Theories of Knowledge teacher at Theodore Roosevelt High School in Des Moines, Iowa; and Tamara Steen, an English and art teacher at Mabton Junior-Senior High School in Mabton, Washington.

State Teachers of the Year are selected on the basis of nominations by students, teachers, principals, and school district administrators throughout the states. Applications are then submitted to CCSSO, where the national selection committee reviews the data on each candidate and selects the finalists. The selection committee then personally interviews each finalist before naming the National Teacher of the Year. Additional information on the National Teacher of the Year Program can be accessed at http://www.ccsso.org/ntoy .

About Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO):

The Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO) is a bipartisan, nationwide, nonprofit organization of public officials who head departments of elementary and secondary education in the states, the District of Columbia, the Department of Defense Education Activity, and five U.S. extra-state jurisdictions. CCSSO provides leadership, advocacy, and technical assistance on major educational issues. The Council seeks member consensus on major educational issues and expresses their views to civic and professional organizations, federal agencies, Congress, and the public. For more information, visit www.ccsso.org .

About Scholastic:

Scholastic Corporation is the world's largest publisher and distributor of children's books and a leader in educational technology. Scholastic creates quality educational and entertaining materials and products for use in school and at home, including children's books, magazines, technology-based products, teacher materials, television programming, film, videos and toys. The Company distributes its products and services through a variety of channels, including proprietary school-based book clubs, school-based book fairs, and school-based and direct-to-home continuity programs; retail stores, schools, libraries, and television networks; and the Company's Internet site, www.scholastic.com .

SOURCE: ING U.S. Financial Services

CONTACT: Cindy Schaus, +1-515-698-7607, or cindy.schaus@us.ing.com , or
Caroline Campbell, +1-770-618-3801, or caroline.campbell@us.ing.com , both of
ING; or Jon Quam, +1-202-336-7047, or Andy Drewlinger, +1-202-336-7011, both
of CCSSO

Web site: http://www.ing.com/
http://www.ccsso.org/
http://www.ccsso.org/ntoy
http://www.scholastic.com/