COLUMBUS, Ohio, and DRESDEN, Germany, Oct. 5, 1999 -- American Electric Power (NYSE: AEP) extended its hand of friendship to Germany today during a tree planting ceremony at The Dresden University of Technology. Columbus Mayor Gregory Lashutka, Huntington Bancshares Inc. chairman and chief executive officer Frank Wobst, and Dresden Lord Mayor Herbert Wagner were joined by Steve Giles, commercial director, AEP Resources Ltd., to plant a maple tree as a lasting symbol of AEP’s commitment to technology, education and sustainable development. “This is a wonderful opportunity for AEP to reaffirm its longstanding pledge to foster education and promote environmental stewardship,” said William J. Lhota, AEP executive vice president. “We are proud to be a part of Columbus’ Friendship Tour to its German sister city to plant roots that will be mutually beneficial to both of our cities in the next millennium.” “Since Columbus and Dresden signed their sister-city agreement in June 1992, the link has developed rapidly and diversely,” said the Lord Mayor of Dresden, Dr. Herbert Wagner. “The various projects -- sport events, exhibitions, artists workshops, scientific meetings, concerts, school exchanges and others -- made the people of our cities come closer together. Many friendships have grown out of the contacts. “The tree planting of American Electric Power in Dresden, as well as the support AEP is giving to the Striezelmarkt in Columbus, demonstrate its commitment to the partnership between our two sister cities,” Wagner said. Lashutka and Wobst led about 30 local business, cultural and community leaders to Dresden in preparation for Columbus’ first Striezelmarkt to be held Dec. 8-19 in front of City Hall. AEP is a co-sponsor of the community event, which will be modeled after Dresden’s centuries-old Striezelmarkt, a holiday season outdoor market. The Dresden University of Technology is the largest university in Saxony, with more than 25,000 students enrolled. The university’s reputation for high-educational standards attracts international companies that locate and invest in Dresden. AEP has been recognized for its efforts in the United States and internationally to preserve the environment. Last year, the company planted more than 3 million trees on company-owned land, increasing the total to 55 million trees planted on company-owned land since 1944. AEP also formally signed its Bolivian carbon sequestration project commitment to help preserve the biodiversity and beauty of Bolivia’s Noel Kempff Mercado National Park. AEP, a global energy company, is one of the United States' largest investor-owned utilities, providing energy to 3 million customers in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia. AEP has holdings in the United States, the United Kingdom, China and Australia. Wholly owned subsidiaries provide power engineering, energy consulting and energy management services around the world. The company is based in Columbus, Ohio. On Dec. 22, 1997, AEP announced a definitive merger agreement for a tax-free, stock-for-stock transaction with Central and South West Corp., a public utility holding company based in Dallas.