Jim Burke, One of Nation's Most ReveredCEO's, To Receive Presidential Medal of Freedom,...

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WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 9, 2000

President Bill Clinton today will bestow the Presidential Medal of Freedom on Jim

Burke will receive the honor at a ceremony hosted by the President at the White House.

"No American has done more to save the children of this country from the horror of drug abuse than Jim Burke," President Clinton has said in the past. "We all owe him a very great debt of gratitude."

The Presidential Medal of Freedom is the nation's highest civilian award. Created by President John F. Kennedy in 1963, this great honor is reserved for individuals the President deems to have made especially meritorious contributions to the country. Burke is receiving the medal for his unique contributions during his career in both the private and public sectors. As one of America's most respected corporate leaders and as the current chairman of the Partnership, his career has come to define modern-day corporate social responsibility, as well as civic responsibility.

"I am deeply honored to receive this very special award," Burke said, reacting to the honor in a letter to President Clinton. "I am grateful to my colleagues at the Partnership for a Drug-Free America, and at Johnson & Johnson for their years of dedication and support. Mr. President, thank you for deeming me worthy of this honor. I must also thank my good friend, General Barry McCaffrey, for his extraordinary leadership and contributions to the fight against illegal drugs."

Burke & The Partnership for a Drug-Free America

Burke assumed the chairmanship of the Partnership for a Drug-Free America upon his retirement from Johnson & Johnson on April 26, 1989. Today, at the age of 75, Burke remains the Partnership's guiding force, serving as its full-time, unpaid chairman.

Under Burke's leadership, the Partnership has created the single largest public service campaign in the history of advertising. To date, the Partnership has generated more than $3 billion in donated media exposure for its anti-drug effort. With deep roots in the advertising industry, more than 600 advertisements from scores of agencies have been created pro bono for the Partnership's anti-drug campaign; thousands of communications professionals have dedicated their time and talent to the cause. PDFA's advertising has won every award in the industry for creativity and effectiveness, including the most prestigious, the Grand Effie -- making it the only non-profit organization ever to receive this award. (The Partnership's advertising topped 132 commercial ad campaigns to win this particular award.)