SAMSUNG, MICROSOFT AND THE MAGIC JOHNSON FOUNDATION AWARD $2 MILLION TO SCHOOLS THROUGH SAMSUNG'S HOPE FOR EDUCATION PROGRAM

Earvin "Magic" Johnson to present $200,000 grand prize to Branch Brook School in Newark, N.J.

Ridgefield Park, N.J. - Samsung's Hope for Education and Microsoft Corporation, along with Magic Johnson and The Magic Johnson Foundation, awarded the Branch Brook School in Newark, N.J., $200,000 in technology products and software at a special assembly for students, teachers and parents. Branch Brook School is this year's grand prize winner in the Samsung Hope for Education third annual essay contest.

Essays were submitted by more than 8,000 schools through students, teachers and local professional athletes who wanted to give their alma maters and community schools a chance to benefit from this unique program. In addition to Branch Brook School, 20 first-prize winners were selected receiving $60,000 in technology products and software for their school. The technology prizes include Samsung's latest, award-winning products, such as Plasma, LCD, CRT and DLP high definition televisions; Ultra Mobile PCs; Multi-function products; PDA Phones; Digital Camcorders; DVD Players, LCD computer monitors, color printers and Microsoft's latest, award-winning software Microsoft Student, Encarta, Microsoft Office and more. For a complete list of winners, click here.

"We are so grateful to be selected as the winning school in the Samsung's Hope for Education essay contest," said Branch Brook Principal, Dennis Torsiello. "The technology and software being donated by Samsung's Hope for Education and Microsoft will only enhance the learning of our students and provide the teachers with additional educational tools."

"With programs like Hope for Education, Samsung and Microsoft have the opportunity to provide the technology and software that not all schools are able to afford," said D.J. Oh, President and CEO, Samsung Electronics America. "These tools enable students to remain competitive with the rest of the world and help further their education."

"Microsoft is proud to be a part of Samsung's Hope for Education program - recognizing deserving schools and creating opportunities through technology for their students," said Anthony Salcito, General Manager of U.S. Education at Microsoft. "We are committed to helping bridge the global technology gap by providing students the tools that will help them realize their potential and prepare them for the future."

Furthering education is an important initiative of the Magic Johnson Foundation. The Foundation has opened several Magic Johnson Community Empowerment Centers throughout the United States. These centers are comprehensive, one-stop resource training facilities where residents are provided with the educational tools and resources to empower themselves and their families through technology.

"I am proud to be a part of Samsung's Hope for Education program because it provides schools with the tools they need to foster growth and education in students," said Johnson. "It is wonderful to see corporations such as Samsung and Microsoft coming together for the betterment of schools and youth."

The Hope for Education contest was first announced in 2004 at the opening of the Samsung Experience, a unique and creative technology emporium in the Time Warner Center in New York City. Since the original launch, 202 U.S. schools have benefited from more than $3 million in Samsung technology and Microsoft software.

About Samsung Electronics America, Inc. Headquartered in Ridgefield Park, NJ, Samsung Electronics America, Inc. (SEA), a wholly owned subsidiary of Samsung Electronics Co., markets a broad range of award-winning, advanced digital consumer electronics, information systems and home appliance products. The SEA organization oversees the North American operations of Samsung including Samsung Telecommunications America, LP, Samsung Electronics Canada, Inc. and Samsung Electronics Mexico, Inc. Please visit www.samsung.com for more information.

About Samsung Electronics Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. is a global leader in semiconductor, telecommunication, digital media and digital convergence technologies with 2005 parent company sales of US$56.7 billion and net income of US$7.5 billion. Employing approximately 128,000 people in over 90 offices in 51 countries, the company consists of five main business units: Digital Appliance Business, Digital Media Business, LCD Business, Semiconductor Business and Telecommunication Network Business. Recognized as one of the fastest growing global brands, Samsung Electronics is a leading producer of digital TVs, memory chips, mobile phones, and TFT-LCDs. For more information, please visit www.samsung.com

About Microsoft Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq "MSFT") is the worldwide leader in software; services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.

About Magic Johnson Foundation The Magic Johnson Foundation (MJF) was founded in December of 1991 by Earvin "Magic" Johnson following his retirement from the Los Angeles Lakers. The mission of the Foundation is to identify and support community-based organizations that address the educational, health, and social needs of children, young adults and inner-city communities throughout the nation.

MJF also donates needed funds to organizations that provide HIV/AIDS prevention and health care education to the minority community.