Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections Honored by the Department of Defense for its Support of Employees Serving in the National Guard and Reserve
The Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections is one of 15 employers selected from nearly 1,500 nominations form National Guardsmen and Reservists.
Baton Rouge, LA, August 25, 2005 --(PR.com)-- Mr. David Janes, National Chairman for the National Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), a Department of Defense agency, today congratulated The Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections – Corrections Services as a 2005 Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award recipient.
The Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections is one of only 15 employers selected in July 2005 from nearly 1,500 nominations from National Guardsmen and Reservists for this prestigious award from the National Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR). The 2005 recipients include Alticor, Incorporated, Citizens Financial Group, Eaton Corporation, Enterprise Rent-A-Car, IDACORP, Los Angeles Police Department, Pioneer Financial Services, Sears, Roebuck and Co., South Dakota State University, the State of Delaware, Wachovia and USAA. The Award ceremonies will take place at the Omni Shoreham Hotel in Washington, D.C. on October 15, 2005 the 10th anniversary of this prestigious award program.
“It is an honor to be recognized by the Department of Defense and the National ESGR committee,” said Department of Public Safety and Corrections Secretary Richard L. Stalder. “Corrections Services is steadfastly committed to our employees who serve this nation and to their families. We know of no greater way to express our appreciation for their service and sacrifice than to ensure that their needs are being met before, during and after their call to duty.”
The Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections – Corrections Services is the first Louisiana state agency to achieve ESGR Five Star status as a supportive employer of its employees who serve in the National Guard and Reserve. Corrections Secretary Richard Stalder set the standard of employer support by developing a computerized training program that instructs corrections personnel on the fundamentals of the USERRA Law, personally encouraging department employees to communicate with deployed Guardsmen and Reservists, and by writing personal letters to deployed employees at the time of their mobilization, as well as during the holiday season. The Department also provides full benefits and a detailed human resource program for its military employees.
Mr. Keithe Turner, Army Reserve Sergeant First Class, and Corrections Captain, nominated the Department for the award. “Secretary Stalder personally encourages employees to communicate with deployed Guard and Reserve members. There is letter-writing campaign, and Guard and Reserve members are sent the monthly newsletter. This past December, corrections employees donated funds to prepare and send care packages to all deployed Guard and Reserve employees,” said Turner.
More than 120 Corrections Services employees have been called to active duty since September 11, 2001. The Department’s efforts of support represent sincere appreciation to each and every one of those employees, especially Sergeant First Class Kurt Comeaux, a member of the Louisiana National Guard who was killed near Baghdad in January 2005. Comeaux, a dedicated husband and father, worked as a state Probation and Parole officer for six years. The Department honored Officer Comeaux during a special employee awards ceremony in May 2005, which his family attended.
“All Americans can be justly proud of our Nation’s employers for their exceptional support of our men and women in the National Guard and Reserves during these demanding times. The Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections, through its personnel programs provides a fine example of an employer’s recognition of the sacrifice these young people make in defense of our freedoms and way of life. The Department of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award is a tribute to Corrections Services for its leadership and support,” said David Janes.
Then-Secretary of Defense William Perry instituted the Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award in 1996 under the auspices of the National Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve. The award publicly recognizes employers, who were nominated by their employees who voluntarily serve in the National Guard and Reserve, for exceptional support above the requirements of the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994.
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 needed, 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 Patriots. More information about ESGR Employer Outreach Programs and volunteer opportunities is available at www.esgr.mil, or call the National Committee at 800-336-4590.
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The Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections is one of only 15 employers selected in July 2005 from nearly 1,500 nominations from National Guardsmen and Reservists for this prestigious award from the National Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR). The 2005 recipients include Alticor, Incorporated, Citizens Financial Group, Eaton Corporation, Enterprise Rent-A-Car, IDACORP, Los Angeles Police Department, Pioneer Financial Services, Sears, Roebuck and Co., South Dakota State University, the State of Delaware, Wachovia and USAA. The Award ceremonies will take place at the Omni Shoreham Hotel in Washington, D.C. on October 15, 2005 the 10th anniversary of this prestigious award program.
“It is an honor to be recognized by the Department of Defense and the National ESGR committee,” said Department of Public Safety and Corrections Secretary Richard L. Stalder. “Corrections Services is steadfastly committed to our employees who serve this nation and to their families. We know of no greater way to express our appreciation for their service and sacrifice than to ensure that their needs are being met before, during and after their call to duty.”
The Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections – Corrections Services is the first Louisiana state agency to achieve ESGR Five Star status as a supportive employer of its employees who serve in the National Guard and Reserve. Corrections Secretary Richard Stalder set the standard of employer support by developing a computerized training program that instructs corrections personnel on the fundamentals of the USERRA Law, personally encouraging department employees to communicate with deployed Guardsmen and Reservists, and by writing personal letters to deployed employees at the time of their mobilization, as well as during the holiday season. The Department also provides full benefits and a detailed human resource program for its military employees.
Mr. Keithe Turner, Army Reserve Sergeant First Class, and Corrections Captain, nominated the Department for the award. “Secretary Stalder personally encourages employees to communicate with deployed Guard and Reserve members. There is letter-writing campaign, and Guard and Reserve members are sent the monthly newsletter. This past December, corrections employees donated funds to prepare and send care packages to all deployed Guard and Reserve employees,” said Turner.
More than 120 Corrections Services employees have been called to active duty since September 11, 2001. The Department’s efforts of support represent sincere appreciation to each and every one of those employees, especially Sergeant First Class Kurt Comeaux, a member of the Louisiana National Guard who was killed near Baghdad in January 2005. Comeaux, a dedicated husband and father, worked as a state Probation and Parole officer for six years. The Department honored Officer Comeaux during a special employee awards ceremony in May 2005, which his family attended.
“All Americans can be justly proud of our Nation’s employers for their exceptional support of our men and women in the National Guard and Reserves during these demanding times. The Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections, through its personnel programs provides a fine example of an employer’s recognition of the sacrifice these young people make in defense of our freedoms and way of life. The Department of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award is a tribute to Corrections Services for its leadership and support,” said David Janes.
Then-Secretary of Defense William Perry instituted the Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award in 1996 under the auspices of the National Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve. The award publicly recognizes employers, who were nominated by their employees who voluntarily serve in the National Guard and Reserve, for exceptional support above the requirements of the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994.
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 needed, 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 Patriots. More information about ESGR Employer Outreach Programs and volunteer opportunities is available at www.esgr.mil, or call the National Committee at 800-336-4590.
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Contact
Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve
Tom Bullock
800-336-4590
www.esgr.mil
Tom Bullock
800-336-4590
www.esgr.mil
Contact
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