Dow Chemical Company Vice President Lawrence J. Washington, Jr. to address IJC's 1999 Great Lakes Water Quality Forum

A noted industry leader will share his perspective on the role of industry in restoring Great Lakes water quality, and related issues, with participants at the International Joint Commission's (IJC) 1999 Great Lakes Water Quality Forum to be held September 24-26, at the Midwest Express Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Lawrence (Larry) J. Washington, Jr. is vice president for environment, health and safety, human resources and public affairs for the Dow Chemical Company, and is also a member of the Corporate Leadership Team. His keynote address on "creating our sustainable future through partnerships" will be delivered during the Forum's opening ceremony, which will take place from 5:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. on September 24.

Washington joined Dow in Midland in 1969 in the Special Assignments Program. He completed several assignments in the Process Development group of Michigan Research and Development and an assignment as manager of Dow's Shale Oil Research Program before being named manager of Environmental Services for the Michigan Division in 1980.

Over the next several years, Washington held a variety of manufacturing assignments in the Michigan Division. In 1987, he was named general manager of the Western Division in Pittsburg, California, and returned to Midland in 1990 as vice president, Dow North America, and general manager for the Michigan Division. He moved to Human Resources in 1994 and assumed additional responsibility for Environment, Health and Safety and Public Affairs in 1997.

The Great Lakes Water Quality Forum will feature seminars public hearings, tours, social events and an Environmental Expo offering the citizens of the Great Lakes community many opportunities to learn and speak about the world's largest freshwater system. The Forum is open to the public and there is no registration fee to participate in the meetings. Upwards of 2,000 people are expected to participate.

The International Joint Commission is a binational organization established by the Boundary Waters Treaty of 1909 to help prevent disputes over the use of waters shared by the United States and Canada. One of its responsibilities is to provide a comprehensive assess every two years on progress toward meeting the goals of the 1978 Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement between the two countries.

Contact Frank Bevacqua Washington 202.736.9024 Fabien Lengellé Ottawa 613.995.0088 Jennifer Day Windsor 519.257.6733 or 313.226.2170 ext. 6733