Florida Employers Honored by the Depoartment of Defense at the McDonald's National Salute to America's Heroes

Ft. Lauderdale, FL, May 03, 2006 --(PR.com)-- Mr. David Bludworth, State Chair of the Florida Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve Field Committee (ESGR), an agency of the Department of Defense, announced that the following eight Florida employers were honored by the Department of Defense with the ESGR Above and Beyond Award: at the McDonald's National Salute to America's Heroes, which includes Fleet Week USA and the McDonald's Air & Sea Show:

Spirit Airlines, Wackenhut Corporation, Motorola Radio Products Group, Lee Memorial Health Systems, AutoNation, Harris Corporation, Florida Power and Light, Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne Division.

According to Bludworth, “The ESGR Above and Beyond Award was created to publicly recognize American Employers who provide extraordinary patriotic support and cooperation to their employees, who like the Minutemen before them, have answered their nation’s call to serve. Supportive employers are critical to maintaining the strength and readiness of the nation’s National Guard and Reserve units.”

Bludworth added “This patriotic group of Florida Employers joins with thousands of American Employers, and Fortune 500 companies, who have reviewed and amended their current human resources policies to ensure compliance with the Uniformed Services Employment and Re-Employment Rights Act (USERRA). Many employers provide above and beyond support with pay differential to offset the loss of wages, and extension of health care benefits which complement coverage provided by the military when their employees are mobilized”.

Lee Memorial Health Systems was also recognized by Bludworth as the Florida ESGR Field Committee’s nominee for the 2006 Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award. “Lee Memorial Health Systems provides full pay and benefits to their employees who are mobilized for the duration of their military service”, said Bludworth. “To be nominated for the Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award is an honor that few employers in America can claim”. The 2006 recipients will be honored in Washington, DC on September 21st at the Ronald Reagan International Trade Center.
In conjunction with the award ceremony, the employers also signed “5-Star” Statements of Support for the National Guard and Reserve.

The “5-Star” Statement of Support confirms that the employers:

• Signed a Statement of Support publicly demonstrating its support for its employees who serve in the National Guard and Reserve.
• Reviewed its Human Resources policies to ensure compliance with the Uniformed Services Employment and Re-Employment Rights Act Law (USERRA).
• Promotes training for managers and supervisors to effectively manage its employees who serve in the Guard and Reserve.
• Adopted polices and programs that are “Above and Beyond” what is required by the USERRA Law.
• Is an advocate for employee service in the National Guard and Reserve and will help to promote the mission of ESGR.

“Today, supportive employers are critical to maintaining the strength and readiness of the nation’s National Guard and Reserve units. I am asking all Florida employers to review and amended their current human resources policies to ensure compliance with the Uniformed Services Employment and Re-Employment Rights Act Law (USERRA)”, said Phil Pope, ESGR Deputy Executive Director. “Many Florida employers provide ‘Above and Beyond’ support with pay differential to offset the loss of wages, and extension of health care benefits which compliment coverage provided by the military when their employees are mobilized”.

“By meeting the “5-Star” Statement of Support criteria, these patriotic Florida employers stand proudly with their Guard and Reserve employees, who like the Minutemen 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. 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 new Minutemen. More information about ESGR Employer Outreach Programs and volunteer opportunities is available at www.esgr.mil, or by calling Tom Bullock in the National Committee Office at 800-336-4590.

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