**NOMINATION DEADLINE WEDNESDAY, MARCH 24, 2004**

WHAT: The nomination deadline for the 2004 Samaritan Center Ethics in Business Awards is Wednesday, March 24. Finalists will be announced in early September and the award recipients will be named at an awards dinner on Tuesday, Oct. 19. More than 400 business and community leaders are expected to attend the third annual event established by the Samaritan Center for Counseling and Pastoral Care in partnership with St. Edward's University.

WHO: Awards will be given to three Central Texas businesses (with at least 15 employees), one 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization and one individual with a proven commitment to develop and practice the highest ethical standards in their policies, programs and actions. Organizations may self-nominate but external nominations are strongly encouraged.

DEADLINE: March 24, 2004



WHY: In addition to honoring those who set the highest ethical standards, the award program generates ongoing dialogue about the importance of ethics in business through workshops conducted by the organizations honored, increased media coverage and other educational activities.

WHERE: Nomination criteria and forms are available from the Samaritan Center at 5425-A Burnet Road, Austin, TX 78756 or may be downloaded from the Center's web site at www.samaritan-center.org. The site also profiles the 2003 Samaritan Center Ethics in Business Award recipients.

SPECIAL NOTE: The nomination process has been simplified from previous years. Applicants are to answer a series of questions which match directly to the award criteria in the business, non-profit and individual categories.