WASHINGTON, DC --- The Horatio Alger Association announced the 54th Annual Horatio Alger Award Winners at a news conference at the National Press Club in Washington, DC. Ed McMahon, a past Horatio Association Alger inductee, hosted the ceremony. Every year the Association honors outstanding men and women who have faced and overcome significant personal adversity through positive thinking, determination and hard work. These ten role models prove that the American Dream exist and thrives. The ten inductees were chosen from among hundreds of nominations and will be honored at the 54th annual Horatio Alger Awards Ceremonies, April 5-7, 2000 in Washington, DC. The 2001 Horatio Alger Award winners are: Linda G. Alvarado, President and CEO, Alvarado Construction, Denver, CO Wesley E. Cantrell, Chairman and CEO, Lanier Worldwide, Inc., Atlanta, GA John H. Dasburg, President and CEO, Northwest Airlines, St. Paul, MN Archie W. Dunham, Chairman, President and CEO, Conoco, Inc., Houston, TX William E. Greehey, CEO and Chairman, VALERO Energy Corp., San Antonio, TX Chuck Hagel, U.S. Senator, State of Nebraska, Washington, DC James V. Kimsey, Founder, CEO and Chairman Emeritus, America Online, Chairman, Kimsey Foundation, Washington, DC Marvin A. Pomerantz, Chairman and CEO, Mid America Group and Gaylord Container Co., West Des Monies, IA Franklin D. Raines, Chairman and CEO, Fannie Mae, Washington, DC Stephen C. Schott, Owner and CEO, Citation Homes, Inc., Managing Partner, Oakland Athletic Baseball Co., Los Altos Hills, CA Past Horatio Alger Members include: Ed McMahon, General Colin Powell, Juan "Chi Chi" Rodriguez, Oprah Winfrey, Billy Graham, Wayne Huizenga, Mary Higgins Clark, Dave Thomas, Rev. Robert Schuller, Ruth Fertel, Dr. Maya Angelou, Wally Amos, Mary Kay Ash, Governor Mario Cuomo, Carol Burnett, Senator Bob Dole, James Earl Jones, Dr. Michael DeBakey, President Dwight D. Eisenhower, Ray Kroc and Paul Harvey.