EXHIBIT 99.1


CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER PURSUANT TO SECTION 906 OF THE
SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002, PURSUANT TO SECTION 1350 OF CHAPTER 63 OF TITLE 18
OF THE UNITED STATES CODE

I, Ivan G. Seidenberg, President and Chief Executive Officer of Verizon
Communications Inc. (the "Company"), certify that:

         (1) the report of the Company on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March
31, 2003 (the "Report") fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act"); and

         (2) the information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all
material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the
Company as of the dates and for the periods referred to in the Report.




Date: May 12, 2003                     /s/ Ivan G. Seidenberg
                                       -----------------------------------------
                                           Ivan G. Seidenberg
                                           President and Chief Executive Officer


A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906 has been
provided to Verizon Communications Inc. and will be retained by Verizon
Communications Inc. and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or
its staff upon request.