Microsoft, USO Announce the Microsoft Above and Beyond Awards

- Microsoft Above and Beyond Awards for Those Who Brighten Lives of Service Members and Their Families
- Nominations begin today

REDMOND, Wash., and NEW YORK, Sept. 18, 2007 — Microsoft Corp., in partnership with the United Service Organizations (USO), today introduced the Microsoft® Above and Beyond Awards to recognize the contributions of the military community of friends, family and other individuals who support U.S. troops and/or their families in 2007. Microsoft and the USO are calling for nominations of individuals who go above and beyond to brighten the lives of our service men and women and their families.

“The Above and Beyond Awards are our way of publicly honoring and thanking the outstanding commitment, exceptional service, sacrifice and achievements of individuals who have brightened the lives of our troops or their families over the past year,” said Curt Kolcun, vice president of Microsoft Federal. “Whether it is the student raising money for the local USO or the person who visits the injured soldiers every week, these extraordinary people deserve recognition.”

Microsoft is accepting nominations in the following five categories:
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Outstanding effort in supporting our troops
•

Dedication to providing superior medical attention to the wounded and injured
•

Outstanding impact and success in generating promotional support of the USO
•

Making a difference in a small way to improve the quality of life of service members
•

Youth leaders who champion and represent outstanding support of our troops

“We work with extraordinary people every day — people who do what they can to make a difference for our service members,” said Elaine Rogers, president of USO Metro D.C. “We look forward to hearing all the inspirational stories that are out there — of what your friends, family members or even neighbors have been doing. Nominations open today, so be sure to send yours in!”

Nominations of those who have gone above and beyond may be submitted until Oct. 15 at http://www.microsoft.com/federal/aboveandbeyondawards.

A panel of judges will narrow the nominations to finalists in each category, from which the awardees will be chosen through an online public vote.

Awardees will be flown to New York for an award ceremony at the Rainbow Room Nov. 12 and a special Microsoft-sponsored performance of the 75th Celebration of the Radio City Christmas Spectacular.

About the USO

For more than 66 years, the USO (United Service Organizations) has been providing morale, welfare and recreational services to U.S. military personnel and their families. The USO (www.uso.org) is a nonprofit, charitable organization, relying on the generosity of the American people to support its programs and services.

About Microsoft

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT”) is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.

Source: Microsoft

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