New York, NY, October 24, 2003—National Urban League president and CEO Marc H. Morial today called upon the U.S. Army \'s Acting Secretary, the Honorable Les Brownlee, to conduct an immediate inquiry into and review of the Army\\\'s decision to award Army Spec. Shoshana Johnson a 30 percent disability benefit for the injuries she received while a prisoner of war in Iraq.

In his letter to the Under Secretary, Mr. Morial notes that Pfc. Jessica Lynch and Spec. Johnson were captured at the same time in the same attack, and that Johnson was released a week later and is still recovering from gun shot wounds to both of her ankles. "Yet," the letter states, "Pfc. Lynch is receiving an 80 percent disability benefit compared to Spec. Johnson\\\'s 30 percent."

The letter continues, "Both Army Spec. Johnson and Pfc. Jessica Lynch are Americans who risked their lives in Iraq and suffered the indignity and horror of capture. Surely, the Army\\\'s commitment to fairness dictates equal treatment for both of these American heroes."

For further information, see attached letter.

Marc H. Morial is the eighth President and Chief Executive Officer of the National Urban League. He was as selected president and CEO by the National Urban League Board of Trustees and assumed office on May 15, 2003.