Medtronic Honored For Support In China

Medical technology and equipment manufacturer Medtronic Inc. has received the Marco Polo award for the company's role in the economic and societal development of China. The award is China's highest honor given to a business. Medtronic's Chairman and CEO, William George, accepted the award on behalf of the company at a ceremony in Beijing recently. The Marco Polo Award is given to individuals and organizations that support the work of The China Project, a cooperative effort by the Volunteers of America, the U.S./China Foundation for International Exchanges, and the State Bureau of Foreign Experts Affairs of the People's Republic of China. The ultimate goal of The China Project is to further economic development and promote humanitarian efforts throughout China, and forge stronger links between American businesses and China. Medtronic supports The China Project by sponsoring Volunteers of America volunteers throughout China and by working with doctors and hospitals in the country. Previous Marco Polo Award winners include former President George Bush, and chief executive officers of Ford Motor Co., Kodak, and AT&T, among others.