Aetna Announces Donation to Martin Luther King, Jr. National Memorial Project Foundation.

HARTFORD, Conn. -- Aetna (NYSE: AET) announced today that it will donate $100,000 to The Washington, D.C. Martin Luther King, Jr. National Memorial Project Foundation, Inc. Aetna's contribution further demonstrates the company's longtime commitment to diversity, equality and the African American community.

"It's an honor for Aetna to be part of this historic and symbolic memorial recognizing someone who had a profound impact on this country," said Aetna chairman and CEO Ronald A. Williams. "As a company, we share the ideals of Dr. King's dream for freedom, equality and opportunity for all Americans. For Aetna, corporate social responsibility is about making a difference and having a positive impact on society - whether it is through our employees volunteering in their communities or as a company addressing racial and ethnic disparities in health care. We hope this memorial of Dr. King serves to motivate another generation of Americans to action."

"I am proud that Aetna has joined our large family of supporters who are helping build a lasting memorial to honor Dr. King and the ideals for which he stood," said Harry E. Johnson, Sr., president and CEO, Washington, D.C. Martin Luther King, Jr. National Memorial Project Foundation, Inc. "Today, I call on all corporations and individuals to follow Aetna's lead by making a donation - of any amount - to the Memorial Foundation today by visiting www.buildthedream.org."

The Memorial will be constructed on a four-acre plot on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. When completed, the inspirational design will create a visual "line of leadership" from the Lincoln Memorial -- where Dr. King, Jr. gave his famous "I Have a Dream" speech -- to the Jefferson Memorial. The ceremonial groundbreaking took place on November 13, 2006, and the Memorial is scheduled to be completed in 2008.

Aetna's commitment to celebrating the achievements and contributions of African Americans spans decades, including:

* More than 10 years of producing the Martin Luther King Conversation on Race, Ethnicity and Culture Forum;

* Twenty-five years of producing the African American History Calendar;

* Ongoing leadership as the first insurer to launch a comprehensive program to eliminate racial and ethnic disparities in health care;

* Significant support of minority investment programs and community initiatives totaling about $1 million per year over the past 26 years, in areas such as education, health, economic development, community partnerships and minority-owned business initiatives;

* Significant support for the arts and initiatives of African Americans in their local communities, such as Aetna's recent contribution to Detroit's Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History for "And Still We Rise: Our Journey through African American History and Culture;"

* Diversity in higher education through the company's relationship with The Thurgood Marshall Scholarship Fund; and

* Investment in minority- and women-owned businesses with a $50 million to $100 million commitment by 2010.

About Aetna

Aetna is one of the nation's leading diversified health care benefits companies, serving approximately 34.9 million people with information and resources to help them make better informed decisions about their health care. Aetna offers a broad range of traditional and consumer-directed health insurance products and related services, including medical, pharmacy, dental, behavioral health, group life, long-term care and disability plans, and medical management capabilities. Our customers include employer groups, individuals, college students, part-time and hourly workers, health plans and government-sponsored plans. www.aetna.com. Information about The Aetna Foundation, Aetna's independent charitable and philanthropic arm can be found at http://www.aetna.com/foundation/.