ATTORNEY GENERAL HELPS VERIZON WIRELESS KICK OFF
PROJECT HOPELINE
Mobile Phones to Aid Domestic Violence Victims

Attorney General J. Joseph Curran, Jr., co-chair of the Family Violence Council, will join representatives from Verizon Wireless on Tuesday, July 9, 2002, at 11 a.m at Verizon Wireless' Annapolis Harbor Center store, 2562 Solomons Island Road, for the announcement of the Family Violence Council/Verizon Wireless HopeLine partnership.

The HopeLine phone recycling program uses wireless services and equipment to assist victims in emergency domestic violence situations. HopeLine collects wireless phones that are no longer being used and refurbishes them so they can be recycled or sold. The funds raised enables Verizon Wireless to purchase wireless phones and donate air-time to victims of domestic violence. The HopeLine program was created in 1995, and last year alone, Verizon Wireless donated more than 4,000 phones and $500,000 to this cause.

Attorney General J. Joseph Curran, Jr. and Lt. Governor Kathleen Kennedy Townsend created the Family Violence Council in November 1995. Under the coordination and leadership of the Family Violence Council, policymakers, law enforcement officers, advocates, judges, probation agents, health care providers and many others have come together to improve the laws, policies and systems which serve to protect victims. The mission of the Council is to prevent and reduce family violence in Maryland, and to break the cycle of violence between generations.

"It takes a great deal of courage for a victim of domestic violence to make that call to 911," Attorney General Curran said. "I applaud Verizon Wireless for the example they have set for those in the private sector who can work with government to ensure that once that call is made, the victim receives the support of every available resource in Maryland."

For more information about the Family Violence Council, go to www.oag.state.md.us/Family, or for more information about the HopeLine program, go to www.verizonwireless.com/hopeline.

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