HOUSTON, TX (January 25, 2012) – At a news conference hosted by Houston Mayor Annise Parker at the Julia Ideson Building, the city’s oldest library, Comerica Bank today announced a charitable contribution of $100,000 to the Houston Public Library Foundation (HPLF). The six-figure restricted grant will support the Houston Public Library’s citywide programming, materials and technology budgets, all three of which were designated by the library as greatly in need of support for the current fiscal year. The announcement was made by J. Downey Bridgwater, Comerica Bank’s Houston Market President.

Effective with this contribution, Comerica Bank also became the HPLF’s first Corporate Partner in its new campaign aimed at bridging budget gaps to help support critical needs within the library system.

“Comerica Bank is committed to the Houston community and to the success of its residents and business owners, and enhancing the educational opportunities for Houston’s children and adults is a smart investment,” said Bridgwater. “We know Susan Bischoff and Dr. Lawson will put this significant gift to good use to help support after-school programming for youth, workforce development initiatives and critical materials and technology needs citywide.”

In addition to Bridgwater, participants of the announcement included Dr. Rhea Brown Lawson, Director of the Houston Public Library, and Susan Bischoff, President of the Houston Public Library Foundation.

"I commend Comerica Bank, and other corporations that have recently stepped up to help support city services, like the libraries and public pools, that mean so much to our community," said Houston Mayor Annise Parker. "This kind of innovative collaboration among the public, private and non-profit sectors during difficult times helps preserve the institutions that enhance the quality of life for all Houstonians."

About Comerica Bank 
Comerica Incorporated (NYSE: CMA) is a financial services company headquartered in Dallas, Texas, and strategically aligned by three business segments: The Business Bank, The Retail Bank, and Wealth Management. Comerica focuses on relationships, and helping people and businesses be successful. In addition to Texas, Comerica Bank locations can be found in Arizona, California, Florida and Michigan, with select businesses operating in several other states, as well as in Canada and Mexico.

About Houston Public Library Foundation
The Houston Public Library Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization, provides advocacy and funding for the Houston Public Library. HPLF was created in 2006 for several reasons: to properly safeguard and steward private funds specifically donated to the Houston Library (Library); to advocate for the Library; and to create a private nonprofit to actively seek private, corporate and foundation support of the Library to provide programs, training and other resources that are not funded by public dollars. HPLF works closely with the Library to ensure that it meets the Library’s most critical needs. These needs are changing and HPLF searches for resources to fill the emerging gaps.