District of Columbia Employers to be honored by the Department of Defense for exceptional support of employees who serve in the National Guard and Reserve

(Washington, DC) – Mr. Felix Boughton, Chairman of the District of Columbia Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), announced today that the DC ESGR Annual Awards Ceremony will honor several employers on Thursday, September 22, 2005 at the DC National Guard Armory, 2001 East Capitol Street, in Washington, DC.

Dr. James Carr, Carr Astronautics Corporation, will be honored as the 2005 District of Columbia recipient of the “Pro-Patria” Award. This prestigious ESGR award can be earned by only one employer annually, and recognizes the extraordinary support by Carr Astronautics Corporation for their employees who serve in the DC National Guard and Reserve.

In addition to the ESGR “ProPatria” Award presentation, District of Columbia employers nominated by their employees who serve in the National Guard and Reserve will receive the ESGR “Above and Beyond Award” The 2005 recipients are: Mr. Kevin Brown, Internal Revenue Service; Mr. Robin (Butch) Colvin and Mr. James Kish Department of Homeland Security; Ms. Laura Dudes, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission; Mr. John Kane, Nuclear Energy Institute; Ms. Teresa Knapp, Alcohol, Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau; Mr. Thomas Liotta, Service Benefit Plan Admin Services; Mr. Donald Powell and Mr. Michael Zamorski, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation; Ms. Lynne Ross, National Association of Attorneys General; Mr. Timothy Ward, Verizon Data Services Assurance Center; and Mr. Karl Wycoff, U.S. Department of State.

“This is the right thing to do and the right time to do it,” said Boughton. “This group of DC employers continues to provide superior support to their employees who serve in the DC based National Guard and Reserve units and organizations. I am challenging all of the District’s employers to rise to this level in their support, and to stand proudly with their employees, who like the Minutemen before them, continue to answer their nation’s call to defend our way of life”.

“Since September 11, 2001, more than 500,000 men and women who serve in the National Guard and Reserve, from across the United States, have left their families and employers to serve on active duty in the Global War on Terrorism and lately in support of Hurricane Katrina. Specifically, 7,946 are members of the Guard and Reserve in the District of Columbia and of that number, 664 are currently deployed away from their loved ones and places of business. The outpouring of support from the DC home front has been overwhelming. We as the DC Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve acknowledge the strong backing from employers of the brave men and women who serve this great nation, and work in the District of Columbia”, added Boughton.

ESGR will also honor three individuals, who have supported the efforts of the DC Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve. Mr. Tony Dorsey, and Ms. Jane Watrel of NBC4 Washington will be honored along with Mrs. Chartese Burnett of the Washington Nationals Baseball Club, with the ESGR Seven Seals Award. This award recognizes the contributions of individuals who support the mission of ESGR and are advocates for service in the National Guard and Reserve.

A special ESGR volunteer recognition will be the presentation of the James M. Roche “Spirit of Volunteerism” Award to Mr. Gerard Panaro, of Howe & Hutton Ltd. Mr. Panaro will be recognized for his years of dedicated service he has willingly and selflessly given to the nation, and the men and women of the National Guard and Reserve who serve to protect it.

Military dignitaries who will attend the awards luncheon include The Honorable Frances Harvey, Secretary of the Army, the Honorable Ronald Sega, Under Secretary of the Air Force, and Vice Admiral John Cotton, Commander Navy Reserve Force.

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 new Minutemen. For more information about ESGR Employer Outreach Programs and volunteer opportunities, please call Arsenia Edwards at 202-685-8823, or visit the ESGR website at www.esgr.mil.