New York, NY, July 10, 2004--Veteran broadcasters Bob Edwards and Willard Scott were awarded the second annual AFTRA Media and Entertainment Excellence Awards (AMEEs) by the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists during its National Plenary at the Sheraton New York Hotel, July 9-11, 2004.

"We are delighted to honor these media giants for their enormous contributions to broadcasting, to the entertainment industry and our nation's good," said AFTRA President John Connolly. "That both remain active and dedicated union members while at the pinnacle of their careers speaks volumes about their commitment to future generations of broadcasters."

Bob Edwards, National First Vice President of AFTRA, has won broadcasting's prestigious Peabody, Edward R. Murrow and Alfred I. duPont-Columbia University Awards. He joined the staff of National Public Radio in 1974, when the organization was in its infancy, and over three decades has conducted more than 20,000 interviews, with everyone from President Clinton to Johnny Cash. Mr. Edwards hosted Morning Edition, the most listened to program on public radio, for 25 years. When he was named the recipient of the George Foster Peabody Award in 1999, the committee described the program as "two hours of daily in-depth news and entertainment expertly helmed by a man who embodies the essence of excellence in radio." Mr. Edwards began his new role as senior correspondent with NPR News on May 3 and shortly thereafter went on the road to spend most of the summer visiting member stations and talking with listeners about his new book, Edward R. Murrow and the Birth of Broadcast Journalism, published by John Wiley & Sons.

Willard Scott, long-time weather reporter, birthday maven on NBC's Today Show, and author of four books, has been a broadcaster for more than 50 years. He began as a weekend disk jockey at Washington radio station WINX, then moved to WRC-AM, the NBC-affiliate, where his weather reports were heard from 1956 to 1972. Over the years, Mr. Scott has traveled around the globe with Today. He wishes "Happy Birthday" to centenarians on Tuesday and Thursday mornings on Today, and often appears as weather reporter. In addition, he has anchored coverage of Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade since 1987, appears regularly as Santa Claus at White House events for children, and, for more than 30 years, has lighted the Christmas tree in the nation's Capitol. Widely recognized for his public service efforts, in 1985 Mr. Scott received the Private Sector Award for Public Service, presented by President Ronald Reagan.