NEW YORK, July 1, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- On the eve of Independence Day weekend, The Statue of Liberty-Ellis Island Foundation announced today a contribution from AT&T* for $50,000 that will be directed toward a significant expansion of the Ellis Island Immigration Museum, to be called the "Peopling of America® Center."

Due to be completed in early 2013, the Peopling of America Center will enlarge the story currently told of the Ellis Island Era (1892-1954) to include the breadth of the American immigration experience, from this country's earliest days to the present.

"We are very appreciative of the contribution from AT&T," said Stephen A. Briganti, President and CEO of The Statue of Liberty-Ellis Island Foundation. "Their investment will help us close the gap -- and make the new Peopling Center a reality."

"AT&T has been committed to key programs developed and implemented by The Statue of Liberty-Ellis Island Foundation," said William Leahy, vice president of state and legislative affairs strategy for AT&T. "The Peopling of America Center acknowledges our own country's rich diversity, and underscores The Statue of Liberty-Ellis Island Foundation's commitment to updated, vibrant representations of the immigrant experience."

The Foundation, working with its public partner, the National Park Service, first tackled restoration of the Statue of Liberty in the 1980s, culminating in "Liberty Weekend" exactly 25 years ago in 1986 -- a gala three-day event celebrating Lady Liberty's centennial restoration. The event, attended by President Reagan and President Francois Mitterand of France, was broadcast to 1.5 billion people in 51 countries. After that, the Foundation turned its attention to the restoration of Ellis Island, the largest historical restoration in the history of the United States. The restoration was completed and the world-class Ellis Island Immigration Museum was opened in September 1990. Since then, the Foundation has been working to promote knowledge of Ellis Island, the Statue and immigration history, establishing the American Immigrant Wall of Honor® and the American Family Immigration History Center®, which has made 25 million Ellis Island arrival records available to museum and on-line visitors.

For more information about The Statue of Liberty-Ellis Island Foundation, go to [ www.ellisisland.org ].

About The Statue of Liberty-Ellis Island Foundation, Inc.

The Statue of Liberty-Ellis Island Foundation, Inc. is a non-profit organization founded in 1982 to raise funds for and oversee the historic restorations of the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, working in partnership with the National Park Service/U.S. Department of the Interior. Its endowment has funded over 200 projects at the islands.

About Philanthropy at AT&T

AT&T Inc. (NYSE: [ T ]) is committed to advancing education, strengthening communities and improving lives. Through its philanthropic initiatives, AT&T has a long history of supporting projects that create learning opportunities; promote academic and economic achievement; and address community needs. In 2010, more than $148.2 million was contributed through corporate-, employee- and AT&T Foundation-giving programs.

About AT&T

AT&T operates the [ nation's largest Wi-Fi network ]** with more than 24,000 hotspots in the U.S. and provides access to more than 135,000 hotspots globally through roaming agreements. Most AT&T smartphone customers get access to our entire national Wi-Fi network at no additional cost, and Wi-Fi usage doesn't count against customers' monthly wireless data plans.

AT&T's [ mobile broadband network ] is based on the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) family of technologies that includes GSM and UMTS, the most widely used wireless network platforms in the world. AT&T has the broadest [ international coverage ] of any U.S. wireless provider, providing access to voice service in more than 220 countries and data service in more than 200 countries.

For updates on the AT&T wireless network, please visit the [ AT&T network news ] page.

For more information about AT&T's coverage in New York City or anywhere in the United States, consumers can visit the [ AT&T Coverage Viewer ].

*AT&T products and services are provided or offered by subsidiaries and affiliates of AT&T Inc. under the AT&T brand and not by AT&T Inc.

** Largest based on company branded and operated hotspots. Access includes AT&T Wi-Fi Basic. A Wi-Fi enabled device required. Other restrictions apply. See [ www.attwifi.com ] for details and locations.

SOURCE AT&T Inc.

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AT&T Contribution Supports Ellis Island Museum Expansion

AT&T Contribution Supports Ellis Island Museum Expansion