Panasonic Astrovision Screens to Provide Close-up View of Presidential Inauguration to Thousands On National Mall in DC.

Business/Technology Editors

WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 19, 2001

In Addition, 60-Inch Panasonic Plasma Display Offers View

Of Proceedings from Rayburn House Office Building 

Thanks to Panasonic, thousands of spectators will have a close-up look at tomorrow's presidential inauguration ... even though they'll be far from the podium. That's because a pair of giant Panasonic Astrovision screens will be strategically positioned along the National Mall to provide a clear view of the proceedings for spectators who won't be able to get near the main stage.

"A presidential inauguration is an exciting moment for Americans, and Panasonic is proud its Astrovision screens will be used to give a better view to tens of thousands of people who are there on the National Mall," observes Justin Camerlengo, president of Panasonic Corporate Enterprises Company.

George W. Bush will be sworn in as the 43rd president of the United States at a podium at the west front of the Capitol Building, and the two 20 x 25-foot Astrovision screens will be positioned about a quarter mile away. Specifically, the screens will be located on Third and Fourth Streets, between Constitution and Independence Avenues.

In addition, Panasonic will provide a 60-inch plasma display panel that will allow viewers at the Rayburn House Office Building to benefit from strikingly advanced display technology as they watch the event.

Even before the inauguration, Panasonic was helping support the presidential election process. Panasonic served as the official electronics provider to the Republican National Convention and the Democratic National Convention, and also supplied displays for use during the October 11 Presidential debate in North Carolina and the October 17 Presidential debate in Missouri. In addition, Panasonic televisions were on hand at the October 5 Vice Presidential debate in Kentucky, where an Astrovision screen was also in use bringing images to an overflow crowd outside the debate hall.

Panasonic Astrovision screens are employed around the globe at major entertainment and sports venues, including the "NBC Astrovision by Panasonic" sign in New York City's Times Square, the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, San Francisco's Pacific Bell Park and Universal Studios CityWalk in Hollywood.

Matsushita Electric Corporation of America (MECA) is the principal North American subsidiary of Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. (MEI) (NYSE: MC), of Osaka, Japan. Along with its affiliates, MECA -- which markets products under the Panasonic, Technics and Quasar brands -- recorded sales of $9.2 billion during the fiscal year ended March 2000. In North America, Matsushita employs over 25,000 people. Additional information can be found by visiting www.panasonic.com.