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BNSF Railway Co. recently received the 2009 Mayor's Small Business Advocate Award from the Business Assistance Center in Fort Worth, Texas. The award recognizes the railroad for outstanding work with small, minority- and women-owned businesses.

In 1999, BNSF established an enterprise process to develop long-term relationships with diverse, local businesses across its system. The process has proven to be an excellent source of suppliers — the Class I has spent about $400 million on diverse businesses, BNSF said.

"I believe that diversity can no longer be just another program. It must become a way of life as we develop and strengthen partnerships within the communities we serve," said BNSF Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer Matt Rose in a prepared statement.