'What Does The American Flag Mean To You?'
GOP Convention, Partners Launch Youth Essay Contest
Top Essayist to Lead Pledge of Allegiance at an Official Event, Receive Additional Recognition

(SAINT PAUL, Minn.) - (SAINT PAUL, Minn.) - In honor of two American observances, and as a way to engage young Minneapolis-Saint Paul students in a patriotic educational activity, the 2008 Republican National Convention, Saint Paul Pioneer Press, Microsoft Corp. (Nasdaq: MSFT) and Qwest Communications International Inc. (NYSE: Q) today announced their partnership in the convention's "Wave the Stars & Stripes Essay Contest," with the winner invited to lead the Pledge of Allegiance at an official event of the Republican National Convention.

"Today, we are excited to issue a direct challenge to young students in the Minneapolis-Saint Paul area to be creative and share with us what the American Flag means to them," convention President & CEO Maria Cino said. "We hope our convention being in Minneapolis-Saint Paul will not only inspire young students to explore the meaning of our nation's most revered symbol, but motivate them to consider their future role in public service."

The contest is open to schoolchildren, grades 7-12, from the local seven-county area of Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey, Scott, and Washington counties. Essays are not to exceed 500 words, and will answer the question: "What does the American Flag mean to you?" In keeping with the convention's promise to be the greenest in GOP history, entries will be collected electronically through the convention's website: www.GOPConvention2008.com, and through the Pioneer Press' website: www.TwinCities.com.

"The Pioneer Press, hometown daily to capital city St. Paul and Minnesota's First Newspaper, is proud to welcome the convention and pleased to help sponsor the "Wave the Stars and Stripes" essay contest," said the newspaper's Publisher Guy Gilmore. "This contest gives students an opportunity to reflect on the freedoms that are the core of our democratic process."

In addition to the winner leading the Pledge of Allegiance at a convention event, partners at Microsoft, Qwest, and the Pioneer Press are offering additional recognition for top essayists. The Pioneer Press will publish the winning essay, as well as the runner-up, while Microsoft will supply electronic and educational software products as prizes to ten finalists. Qwest will provide laptop computers to the essay contest winner and runner-up.

"The upcoming Republican convention is an opportunity for schoolchildren in the Twin Cities to witness national politics on a grand scale in their hometown. This contest gives them an opportunity to reflect on their own beliefs, and participate in the nation's democratic process," said Ed Ingle, Microsoft's managing director of Federal Government Affairs. "Microsoft is delighted to support outstanding students who aspire to be the best and brightest, and provide them with the software that will help them achieve their goals."

"This essay contest provides a unique opportunity for middle and high school students to be engaged in the 2008 Republican National Convention in St. Paul," said John Stanoch, Qwest's Minnesota president. "We look forward to hearing what the flag means to the youth of Minnesota."

Entries are due May 15. The ten finalists will be announced on Memorial Day, May 26. A panel of judges - to be named in the coming weeks - will select the winning essay and runner-up, which will be announced on June 13, in anticipation of Flag Day. The winner will then be invited to attend an official event of the 2008 Republican National Convention, along with their immediate family, and lead attendees in the Pledge of Allegiance.

About the Republican National Convention
The 2008 Republican National Convention will be held at Saint Paul's Xcel Energy Center from Sept. 1-4. Approximately 45,000 delegates, alternate delegates, volunteers, members of the media and other guests are expected to attend the convention. Minneapolis-Saint Paul is expected to receive an estimated $150-$160 million positive economic boost from the event. For more information about the 2008 Republican National Convention, please visit our website at www.GOPConvention2008.com.

About the Pioneer Press
The Pioneer Press, a MediaNews Group publication and the winner of three Pulitzer Prizes, prides itself on providing distinctive news coverage readers won't find anywhere else. Continued circulation and readership increases have further secured the Pioneer Press' position as the No. 1 newspaper in the Twin Cities' East Metro market.

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 Qwest
Qwest (NYSE: Q) offers a powerful combination of award-winning broadband, video and voice solutions for residential customers, businesses and government agencies.