U.S. Department of Argiculture Signs "5-Star" Statement of Support for the National Guard and Reserve

ARLINGTON, Va. – The Honorable Thomas F. Hall, Assistant Secretary of Defense for Reserve Affairs, announced that Mike Johanns, Secretary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, signed a “5-Star” Statement of Support for the National Guard and Reserve in Washington, D.C.

The “5-Star” Statement of Support confirms that the U. S. Department of Agriculture:

· Signed a Statement of Support publicly demonstrating its support for its employees who serve in the National Guard and Reserve.
· As a federal employer, promises to safeguard job positions, support continuation of medical and dental benefits for family members, grant leaves of absence for military service without penalty of lost vacation time to those employees who serve in the Guard and Reserve, to the extent allowed under applicable laws.
· Ensures men and women who serve in the Guard and Reserve will not be denied employment with the Department of Agriculture nor will there be limited or reduced job and career opportunities due to service in the Guard or Reserve.
· Is an advocate for employee service in the National Guard and Reserve.

“Today, supportive employers are critical to maintaining the strength and readiness of the nation’s National Guard and Reserve units. I am asking all of America’s employers to review and amended their current human resources policies to ensure compliance with the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act Law (USERRA),” said Secretary Hall. “This is a significant event not only for the Department of Agriculture, but for all federal civil service employees. The federal government is one of the largest employers of National Guardsmen and Reservists in the country.”

"Today we meet to honor and affirm our support for the men and women who wear uniforms and secure our freedoms, including the more than 2,000 USDA employees who proudly serve in the National Guard and Reserve," said Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns. "Once again, America's Armed Forces are placing their lives at risk on distant seas and shores to defend our way of life and the men and women engaged in this struggle against terrorism are volunteers. They march, sail and fly willingly into harm's way. Let us take a moment to honor their commitment to America and to revere the sacrifices they have made in her defense."

“By meeting the ‘5-Star’ Statement of Support criteria, the management of the Department of Agriculture 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 Secretary Hall.

In 1862, when President Abraham Lincoln founded the U.S. Department of Agriculture, he called it the "people's Department." Today, USDA continues Lincoln's legacy by serving all Americans. USDA leads the federal anti-hunger effort with the Food Stamp, School Lunch, School Breakfast, and the WIC Programs; is the steward of our nation's 192 million acres of national forests and rangelands; is the country's largest conservation agency, encouraging voluntary efforts to protect soil, water, and wildlife on the 70 percent of America's lands that are in private hands; brings housing, modern telecommunications, and safe drinking water to rural America; is responsible for the safety of meat, poultry, and egg products and is a research leader in everything from human nutrition to new crop technologies that allow us to grow more food and fiber using less water and pesticides.

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 the National Committee Office at (800) 336-4590.