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Archived News Release--Caution:
information may be out of date.
For more information call: 202/219-8743.
Secretary of Labor Robert B. Reich tomorrow will honor nine
federal contractors and public interest organizations for their leadership in
creating use of affirmative action programs and equal employment practices to
ensure a diverse and productive workforce.
Former Congressman Augustus Hawkins (D-California) is
scheduled to speak at this award ceremony, which coincides with the 30th
anniversary of the department's Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs
(OFCCP).
Reich said, "Today's winners clearly demonstrate that
affirmative action adds immeasurably to the profitability of our businesses,
the well-being of our workers, and the productivity of our nation."
Xerox Corporation, of Stamford, Conn. received the
Secretary's Opportunity 2000 Award. Xerox was honored for its emphasis on
identifying and developing employees for managerial ranks and for its
demonstrated succession planning which has used the skills of minorities and
women at all levels. Xerox employs nearly 47,000 workers nationwide.
The company was also recognized for its work and family
life programs which have attracted and retained minorities and women in key
positions. In addition, Xerox has supported community groups and educational
systems, and has a strong vendor program that supports minority- and
women-owned businesses.
This year's Exemplary Voluntary Efforts (EVE) Award winners
are: CBS, Inc., New York; Seattle First National Bank, Seattle; The Law
Company, Wichita, Kan;, Mobil Corporation, Fairfax, Va. and the Atlanta
Regional Liaison Group, Atlanta, Ga.
Exemplary Public Interest Contributions (EPIC) Award
winners are: Disabled American Veterans, Washington, D.C.; Leadership
Conference on Civil Rights, Washington, DC; and National Center for Disability
Services, New York, N.Y.
Deputy Assistant Secretary of OFCCP, Shirley J. Wilcher
said, "OFCCP will continue the agency's proud tradition of meeting its
responsibilities with vigor and vision into the next century."
Wilcher said OFCCP is committed to strengthening
partnerships with the business community, academia, labor, community action
groups and others to open the doors of opportunity for the nation's
workers.
Information about the creative programs designed and used
by today's winners will be shared with others so that the programs can be
duplicated and tailored to meet employer demands and employee needs.
The annual recognition program has been coordinated by the
Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs since l983. OFCCP is responsible
for enforcing Executive Order 11246 and other laws that prohibit discrimination
by federal contractors and subcontractors based on race, ethnic background,
religion, gender, disability and veteran status.
Exemplary Voluntary Efforts (EVE) Award
CBS, INC., New York, N.Y., is recognized for its
extraordinary efforts in achieving broad-based minority and female
representation and for its executive development programs and overall
employment programs that support affirmative action and diversity. CBS was
cited for its history of employing a large number of women and minorities for
professional and technical jobs in the newsroom during the past two decades.
CBS employs 64,000 nationwide.
MOBIL CORPORATION, Fairfax, Va., the nation's second
largest oil company, employs 58,000 individuals worldwide. It is being
recognized for its many programs that support affirmative action and equal
employment opportunity, for its career and management development programs, and
its work-and family-life programs.
SEATTLE FIRST NATIONAL BANK, Seattle, Wash., is being
recognized both for a pilot program that addresses the needs of Native
Americans in the state and a long-term employment and education program for
high school students.
THE LAW COMPANY, Wichita, Kan., a construction company with
135 employees, is being recognized for its outreach efforts to joint-venture
and subcontract with minority and disadvantaged vendors, and for providing free
technical and legal assistance to nonprofit organizations.
ATLANTA REGIONAL LIAISON GROUP (ARLG), founded in 1989, has
a membership of 40 companies. The group has strengthened relationships with
OFCCP and contractors through a public education program which keeps members
informed about various issues and concerns. Since its founding, ARLG has
coordinated conferences on diversity in the workplace, glass ceiling issues,
and training and support of senior citizens.
DISABLED AMERICAN VETERANS, Washington, D.C., promotes
employment and training opportunities to help disabled veterans find gainful
employment. The DAV's field office staff has 250 national service officers.
Through its work, the DAV has assisted more than 220,000 disabled veterans. The
DAV has more than l.2 million members and has offices in every state,
Washington, D.C. and Puerto Rico.
LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE ON CIVIL RIGHTS, Washington, D.C., is
being recognized for its major role in promoting nondiscrimination through its
efforts to gain legislation protecting the rights of women and minorities. The
organization was cited for serving as a watch dog over programs and regulations
that prohibit discrimination and for its paramount efforts in the establishment
of today's civil rights laws and regulations.
NATIONAL CENTER FOR DISABILITY SERVICES, New York, N.Y., a
nonprofit facility, is being recognized for its variety of training programs
for individuals with disabilities. Between 85-90 percent of individuals who
complete the center's training programs are offered permanent jobs within 90
days. In addition, individuals who take NCDS training programs have been
successful in increasing average income from $55 to $224 per week. The NCDS,
through its Industry-Labor Council, works with companies who together employ
more than 650,000 workers nationwide. Through its placement initiative in New
York City, 10,000 jobs were created for individuals with disabilities.
Archived News Release--Caution:
information may be out of date.
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