June 2nd, 2004

SCHWARZENEGGER NAMES THE ROCK NEW NATIONAL SPOKESPERSON

LOS ANGELES – Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger announced actor/action hero Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson as his choice to serve as National Spokesperson for After-School All-Stars (ASAS), a national provider of after-school programs for children. The announcement was made at the organization’s annual board meeting on Monday, May 24th.

“Everyone admires him. All the kids admire him. It really works when the children look up and say, ‘I want to be like him,’” said Governor Schwarzenegger. As National Spokesperson, The Rock will replace Schwarzenegger as the face of the After-School All-Stars. His role will include acting as the organization’s ambassador and visiting After-School All-Stars programs across the nation to encourage and inspire children to strive for the best.

The Rock became a hero to millions of children as the record-setting six-time World Wrestling Federation Champion. He is now one of Hollywood’s most successful leading men. His film credits include THE MUMMY RETURNS, THE SCORPION KING, THE RUNDOWN and, most recently, WALKING TALL. His upcoming projects include BE COOL and SPY HUNTER.

Arnold Schwarzenegger founded After-School All-Stars (formerly know as Inner-City Games Foundation) in 1992 and served as National Chairman and spokesperson until running for Governor of California during Fall 2003. After becoming Governor, he stepped down as Chairman and now serves as Honorary Chairman. On Monday, he announced that Viacom Board member David McLaughlin will succeed him as the After-School All-Stars National Chairman.

Several new board members were also introduced at the meeting: Henry Cisneros, Chairman of American CityVista and former Secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development; Lisa Egbuonu-Davis, M.D., Vice President US Medical for Pfizer Pharmaceuticals Group; Lisa Holthouse of the Holthouse Foundation for Kids in Houston, Texas; Lora Watts, President-External Affairs for SBC in California and Nevada; William S. White, Chairman, President and CEO of the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation, and Harris Wofford, a long-time proponent of citizen service, former U.S. Senator for Pennsylvania and current co-chair of America’s Promise.

Frank Donaghue, the President and CEO of ASAS hired by Schwarzenegger last year commented, “The Rock, along with a board with incredible new members, positions After-School All-Stars in a unique and powerful way as the national leader for comprehensive after-school programs.” He also noted, “Grants from the Mott and Arcadia Foundations have helped After-School All-Stars provide model programs in 15 cities reaching over 45,000 children nationwide.”

About After-School All-Stars

The mission of After-School All-Stars is to provide comprehensive out-of-school programs that keep children safe and help them achieve in school and in life. To this end, After-School All-Stars engages middle-school children in activities and on-going relationships that increase confidence and encourage success. After-School All-Stars programs combine sports & recreation, educational programs, technology training, arts & culture, and life skills & service learning.

After-School All-Stars grew out of Inner-City Games, an initiative founded in Los Angelesin 1991 to positively influence and inspire at-risk children and youth. In 1992, Arnold Schwarzenegger founded the Inner-City Games Foundation to expand the program nationwide. The name was changed to After-School All-Stars in July 2003.

After-School All-Stars currently has programs in 15 U.S.cities: Atlanta, Chicago, Columbus, Dallas, Detroit, Houston, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, New York, Orlando, Philadelphia, San Antonio, San Diego, San Joseand South Florida.

HUMMER and the Todd Wagner Foundation are the generous national sponsors of After-School All-Stars. Additional funding is provided by the Arcadia, Avant! C.S. Mott Foundations and SBC.

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