Atlanta Gas Light and News/Talk 750 WSB to Honor Jesse Hill, Jr. with 2007 Shining Light Award

ATLANTA, Sept. 20 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Atlanta Gas Light, a subsidiary of Atlanta-based AGL Resources , together with News/Talk 750 WSB , today announced that Jesse Hill, Jr. has been selected as the recipient of the 2007 Shining Light Award. This award, established in 1963, is one of Atlanta's most prestigious honors, recognizing the city's outstanding leaders.

Jesse Hill, Jr., who during his tenure as President, CEO and Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Atlanta Life Insurance Company (1973-1993) built it into the largest African-American-owned financial institution in the nation, first joined the company in 1949 as an actuarial assistant. His accomplishments, however, extend far beyond his stellar corporate career.

A confidant of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Hill created the newspaper "The Atlanta Inquirer," which quickly became the voice of the Civil Rights movement. A dedicated Civil Rights leader, Hill served as head of virtually every major voter registration drive in the African-American community during the 60's and also chaired the All Citizens Registration Committee. Simultaneously, he was instrumental in desegregating the Atlanta Public School System as well the University System of Georgia. President Jimmy Carter appointed him to chair the Minority Business Resource Center, created by Congress, and from 1977 - 1992, he served as the first African-American president of the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce.

Suzanne Sitherwood, president of Atlanta Gas Light and senior vice president of AGL Resources Southern Operations said, "Jesse Hill, Jr. has opened so many doors in his lifetime. He has defined his unique success in the corporate world by giving back to our community, constructing new bridges and by setting an example for new generations of business leaders. We are thrilled to be able to honor his myriad accomplishments with the Shining Light Award, as he represents AGL's values of community involvement and public service."

"All of us with News/Talk 750 WSB are excited to recognize Jesse Hill, Jr. as this year's Shining Light Award recipient," said David P. Meszaros, vice and general manager of News/Talk 750 WSB. "Mr. Hill's passion for helping others and his valuable contributions to the Civil Rights movement makes him truly a living legend. Through his actions, he embodies the true spirit of the Shining Light Award."

Jesse Hill, Jr. joins an impressive list of other outstanding Georgians who have received the Shining Light Award, including: President Jimmy Carter; Senator Zell Miller; baseball legend Hank Aaron; Ambassador Andrew Young; the late former Mayor Maynard Jackson; as well as last year's recipient, Bernie Marcus.

Decades of Shining Light awards, which are eternally burning natural gas lamps, adorn many corners of Atlanta. Each old-time gaslight is installed in a location that is meaningful to the recipient. The location of Hill's award will be announced on Tuesday, October 2, 2007, at an event in his honor at the Atlanta History Center.

"All of Atlanta salutes Jesse Hill, Jr. with this award," said John Somerhalder, chairman and chief executive officer of AGL Resources. "During his 20-year tenure as head of the Atlanta Life Insurance Company, he continued to build upon the company's strong tradition of supporting human and civil rights activism while realizing dramatic corporate growth and profitability.

"Mr. Hill reinforces that with success comes the obligation to share and give back to the community," added Somerhalder. "AGL Resources' core value of 'generosity of spirit' is seen in everything that he touches."

About Atlanta Gas Light

Atlanta Gas Light, a wholly owned subsidiary of AGL Resources , provides delivery service to more than 1.5 million customers in Georgia. In operation since 1856, the company is the oldest corporation in the state. For more information, visit http://www.atlantagaslight.com/.

About AGL Resources

AGL Resources , an Atlanta-based energy services company, serves more than 2.2 million customers in six states. The company also owns Houston-based Sequent Energy Management, an asset manager serving natural gas wholesale customers throughout the nation. As a 70 percent owner in the SouthStar partnership, AGL Resources markets natural gas to consumers in Georgia under the Georgia Natural Gas brand. The company also owns and operates Jefferson Island Storage & Hub, a high-deliverability natural gas storage facility near the Henry Hub in Louisiana. For more information, visit http://www.aglresources.com/

About Cox Radio

Cox Radio is one of the largest radio broadcasting companies in the United States, based on revenues. Cox Radio owns, operates or provides sales and marketing services for 79 stations (66 FM and 13 AM) clustered in 18 markets, including major markets such as Atlanta, Houston, Miami, Orlando, San Antonio and Tampa. Cox Radio shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol: CXR.

About News/Talk 750 WSB

NewsTalk 750 WSB is Atlanta's source for news, weather, traffic, and entertaining and informative talk. WSB is also the home to nationally syndicated talk show host Neal Boortz and consumer watchdog Clark Howard. News/Talk 750 WSB has been ranked by Arbitron media research as the nation's number one news/talk station.