[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 119 (Wednesday, September 10, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Page S9089]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 PACIFIC GAS AND ELECTRIC RECEIVES LABOR SECRETARY'S OPPORTUNITY 2000 
                                 AWARD

 Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, each year the Department of Labor 
presents the Secretary's Opportunity 2000 Award honoring a Federal 
contractor for the successful implementation of equal employment 
opportunities within its organization, and for supporting these goals 
in the broader community. Through its efforts, the recipient of this 
award must have enhanced equal employment opportunities for minorities, 
women, individuals with disabilities, special disabled veterans, or 
veterans of the Vietnam era. It also must have addressed such issues as 
the glass ceiling, skills gap, and multicultural workforce.
  I am pleased to say, Mr. President, that for the second time in 8 
years, the Opportunity 2000 Award is presented to the Pacific Gas and 
Electric Co.
  PG&E takes an active role in ensuring that its employees represent 
California's diversity. Its various programs, including the executive 
development program and women in trades forum, focus attention on women 
and minorities. Its management works closely with numerous employee 
associations which represent its diversity, such as the Hispanic 
Employees Association, the Black Employees Association, and ACCESS, an 
association of employees with disabilities.
  PG&E has also adopted community based programs to aid the development 
of the diverse communities it serves. These programs include corporate 
contribution programs and welfare-to-work demonstration projects which 
aid in providing job training and employment to welfare recipients.
  I applaud PG&E's continued commitment to the goals of equal 
employment opportunity for people of all backgrounds. In the words of 
Labor Secretary Herman, `` * * * PG&E  * * * serves as a role model for 
other Federal contractors.''
  I join Secretary Herman in commending Pacific Gas and Electric for 
this achievement, and I congratulate its officers and all its employees 
for being selected once again to receive this important and prestigious 
award. 

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