Survivors of Columbine Attack to Join Hundreds of Skiers With Disabilities in Colorado At the Hartford Ski Spectacular.

BRECKENRIDGE, Colo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 3, 1999--

Survivors of school shootings to learn rehabilitative powers of

recreation at Disabled Sports USA Winter sports festival for skiers

with disabilities

Nine survivors of the Columbine High School shootings will take to the slopes of Breckenridge Ski Resort as guests of Disabled Sports USA next week at The Hartford Ski Spectacular. The event, which begins Sunday and runs through December 12, is the largest winter sports festival for people with disabilities. Less than a year after the tragedy in Littleton, Colo. that took the lives of 12 of their fellow students and one teacher, these teens will take part in an event designed to restore their confidence and dignity as they learn--or in some cases, learn again--a sport they can enjoy for a lifetime.

The Hartford Ski Spectacular has a longstanding tradition of inviting special guests who have been disabled as a result of a serious national or international problem which demands attention. Past guests have included survivors of terrorist bombings, including those in Oklahoma City and Northern Ireland; survivors of landmines; those critically injured in the Bosnian War; disabled Persian Gulf veterans; and teens permanently injured in urban crimes.

"The Columbine shootings have been a terrible blow to those who were injured, their families and their community," said Kirk Bauer, executive director of DS/USA, who himself lost his leg from a hand-grenade explosion in Vietnam. "This week at The Hartford Ski Spectacular will give these students an opportunity to challenge themselves, with their families, through the exciting sport of skiing. We plan to demonstrate to these young people that they can still lead active and productive lives."

"The Ski Spectacular showcases abilities in action while playing a role in changing society's perception about people with disabilities," said Lizabeth Zlatkus, senior vice president and director, Employee Benefits Division, at The Hartford's Hartford Life Inc. subsidiary (NYSE:HLI). "We are proud to be a national corporate partner of Disabled Sports USA, an organization which embodies our ability philosophy."

The students from Columbine will join more than 700 participants for an array of rehabilitative ski programs, including: learn to ski and snowboard clinics, learn to race clinics, continuing education for ski instructors, and a US Skiing-sanctioned Giant Slalom race for advanced ski racers. Elite racers from the U.S. Disabled Ski Team, historically the world's top alpine squad, will visit the event; the team is in Breckenridge for the Chevy Truck Disabled World Cup series opener, an international ski racing event.

In addition to National Corporate Sponsor and Title Sponsor, The Hartford Financial Services Group, corporate sponsors who are making this event possible include National Corporate Partner United Airlines; Official Media Sponsor WE Media, Inc.; and the Million Dollar Round Table Foundation. Housing for the special guests is being provided by Beaver Run Resort and Conference Center, with event staff housing provided by Collection of Fine Properties. Ski lift passes for the event and special guests are being provided by the Breckenridge Ski Resort. Additional corporate support comes from Orthotic & Prosthetic Gold Sponsors Hanger Orthopedic Group, College Park Industries, Inc. and RGP Prosthetic Research Center; as well as Thrifty Car Rental and NAYA Spring Water.

Local chapters of DS/USA assisting with the event are the Host Breckenridge Outdoor Education Center and Colorado Challenge Center.

About The Hartford

The Hartford's (NYSE:HIG) sponsorship of Ski Spectacular is tied to the company's award winning Break Away program and its philosophy of emphasizing abilities over disabilities. The program showcases the talents, determination, achievements and abilities of people with disabilities. Break Away sponsors top-notch sporting events, the arts, film productions and a group of world-class athletes with disabilities who comprise Team Ability. Information on The Hartford and its innovative programs for people with disabilities is available on the company's Website, www.thehartford.com/breakaway.

About Disabled Sports USA

Founded in 1967 by disabled Vietnam veterans, Disabled Sports USA provides opportunities for individuals with physical disabilities to gain confidence and dignity through sports, recreation and educational programs. The organization is the nation's largest multi-sport, multi-disability organization and serves more than 60,000 people nationwide. A member of the U.S. Olympic Committee, DS/USA conducts regional, national and international training camps and competitions to prepare athletes for the Paralympic Games--the international, Olympic-sanctioned competitions for athletes with physical disabilities. DS/USA also offers sports rehabilitation programs through its nationwide network of 85 community-based chapters. More information is available at http://www.dsusa.org.

Media Note

Disabled Sports USA will arrange a limited number of interviews with the Columbine students on-site at the event. Disabled Sports USA will also produce an event video news release for satellite distribution featuring interviews with event officials and the Columbine students. For more information, please contact Mike Gannon or Ed Harrison at Schwartz Communications, [phone] (through December 4) and [phone] (December 5-12), or Staasi Heropoulos at the Kotchen Group, [phone].