RIYADH, 24 May 2005 — ExxonMobil Saudi Arabia announced on Sunday with an SR5 million donation its membership in the Founders’ Council of the Prince Salman Center for Disability Research (PSCDR). Desmond P. Carr, ExxonMobil Saudi Arabia CEO and board chairman, made the announcement after meeting Prince Sultan ibn Salman, chairman of PSCDR’s board of trustees. The prince expressed his appreciation to the oil company for its humanitarian gesture. Carr said ExxonMobil would contribute SR1 million annually until the full amount is paid. It is the 88th member of the Founders’ Council. The Al-Zamil Group earlier joined as the 87th member.
“Worldwide, the corporation (ExxonMobil) has a program of social responsibility ... with the focus being on health in various ways. So joining PSCDR as a Founders’ Council member is in keeping with our philosophy. Our participation was decided at the corporate level,” Carr said when asked what made the company decide to join the Founders’ Council as member.
Carr added that in the past, ExxonMobil had been involved in a number of humanitarian projects and “I would say that the visit of Dr. Sultan T. Al-Sudairy in the early part of this year to our office made us look at our participation in a larger way. We are proud to be part of the Founders’ Council.” Dr. Al-Sudairy is PSCDR’s interim executive director and member of the board of trustees.
Carr added that aside from the PSCDR, ExxonMobil is also involved with other humanitarian organizations in the Kingdom such as the King Abdul Aziz & His Companions Foundation for the Gifted.
Carr called on other private organizations, individuals, businessmen and government institutions to support PSCDR in its goals to make life worth living for all.
Waleed K. Al-Deaigy, assistant executive director, said that at present the center was establishing a trust for all the contributions received from the members. “The trust will be managed by a selected committee from the Founders’ Council,” he said.
