Firms’ Social, Environment Work Honored

American Telephone & Telegraph Co., Xerox Corp. and other major corporations won awards Wednesday for their social and environmental programs, while Exxon Corp. was panned for the Valdez crude oil disaster.

“The signposts for the 1990s point clearly in the direction of increased commitment by corporate America to such social concerns as the environment,” said Colby Chandler, chief executive of Eastman Kodak Co.

“These awards underscore that commitment and serve as an incentive for all of us to be better corporate citizens,” said Chandler, who served as chairman of the awards dinner and whose company is a former award winner.

Other winners of the fourth annual America’s Corporate Conscience Awards were U.S. West Inc., Pitney Bowes Inc. and Cummins Engine Co. Honorable mentions were received by Patagonia and Fel-Pro.

Exxon, Perdue Farms and USX Corp. got dishonorable mentions for their performance.

The awards were presented by the public-interest group Council on Economic Priorities.

The awards were presented for excellence in specific social programs, such as environmental issues, equal opportunity employment, charitable donations, responsiveness to employees and community action.