Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve

Washington, DC, September 27, 2005 --(PR.com)-- Philip Pope, Deputy Executive Director of the National Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), an agency of the Department of Defense, announced that Steven R. Blust, Chairman of the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC), signed a Statement of Support for the Guard and Reserve Sept. 20 in Washington, D.C.

“Today, we thank you for supporting this effort. By signing this Statement of Support for the Guard and Reserve, you are pledging a commitment to your Guard and Reserve employees. I ask all of America’s employers to follow in your footsteps, and review and amend their current human resources policies to ensure compliance with the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA),” said Pope. “This is a significant event not only for the Federal Maritime Commission, but for all federal civil service employees. The federal government is one of the largest employers of National Guardsmen and Reservists in the country.”

The FMC is an independent regulatory agency responsible for the regulation of oceanborne transportation in the foreign commerce of the U.S. The principal statutes or statutory provisions administered by the Commission are: the Shipping Act of 1984, the Foreign Shipping Practices Act of 1988, section 19 of the Merchant Marine Act, 1920, and Public Law 89-777.

Blust thanked the ESGR staff and former and current Guard and Reserve personnel in attendance for their efforts. He stated, “That if you go back in history, the Guard and Reserve have always been there. My family was directly impacted by Hurricane Katrina’s devastation, and I am certainly aware of the direct involvement of our citizen soldiers and the support they are providing. You can’t put a value on the efforts that the Reserve and Guard are providing. Thanks to all of you for your dedicated efforts and please keep them up.”

“By signing the Statement of Support, the management of the Federal Maritime Commission stands proudly with their Guard and Reserve employees, who like the Minute Men before them, continue to answer their nation’s call to defend our way of life. Their personal sacrifices are essential to the strength of our nation,” added Pope.

Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) is a Department of Defense agency established in 1972. The mission of ESGR is to gain and maintain active support from all public and private employers for the men and women of the National Guard and Reserve. ESGR volunteers provide free education, consultation and, if necessary, mediation for employers of Guard and Reserve employees.

As the 1.2 million members of the National Guard and Reserve continue to perform an increasing number of unique missions that require extraordinary actions on the part of everyday citizens, ESGR will continue to be the informational agency for the employers of America’s servicemembers. More information about ESGR Employer Outreach Programs and volunteer opportunities is available at www.esgr.mil, or by calling the National Committee office at (800) 336-4590.

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