'ACCESS HOLLYWOOD' CO-ANCHOR NANCY O'DELL HONORED BY STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA WITH A PROCLAMATION NAMING FEBRUARY 1st 'NANCY O'DELL DAY'

BURBANK, Calif. -- January 27, 2006 -- The Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce, Coastal Carolina University, Horry-Georgetown Technical College and Horry County Schools will host a reception, with special guest Nancy O'Dell, for members of the S.C. General Assembly.

Governor Mark Sanford will declare February 1st Nancy O'Dell Day in South Carolina and a representative from the governor's office will present O'Dell with a proclamation at a reception later that evening. O'Dell also will receive a resolution from both the state House of Representatives and Senate honoring her for her many accomplishments and for being a good will ambassador for the state. The purpose of the event is to increase awareness of the Myrtle Beach area's numerous contributions to the state and to reinforce the area's critical needs as the 2006 legislative session begins.

Myrtle Beach native Nancy O'Dell, co-host of NBC Universal's syndicated entertainment news program Access Hollywood, began her broadcasting career at WPDE TV-15 (Myrtle Beach) and later served as morning news anchor and crime reporter for WCBD News 2 (Charleston). An award-winning journalist, O'Dell also contributes to NBC's Dateline and Today show. O'Dell was inducted to the S.C. Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame in 1998 as the youngest member ever in recognition of her journalistic success. A star bearing her name can also be found along Myrtle Beach's Sun Fun Festival Walk of Fame. An academic leader early on, O'Dell was valedictorian of her high school class and is a summa cum laude honors graduate of Clemson University.

In addition to O'Dell, representatives of the chamber, CCU, HGTC, other local chambers and organizations, public officials and business leaders will be traveling to Columbia for the reception.