[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 131 (Wednesday, September 16, 2009)]
[Senate]
[Page S9429]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        2009 SECRETARY OF DEFENSE EMPLOYER SUPPORT FREEDOM AWARD

 Ms. LANDRIEU. Mr. President, as we focus on improving the 
workplace and enhancing benefits for employees throughout the Nation, I 
would like to take this opportunity to highlight an outstanding group 
of law enforcement officers from Louisiana.
  For the last 8 years, our country has been at war. Thousands of 
Americans left their usual workplace to honor their commitment to the 
armed services. America's employers have done an outstanding job of 
supporting our National Guard and Reserve members both in and outside 
the workplace. Currently, almost one-half of the U.S. military is 
comprised of National Guard and Reserve members. This support for our 
``Citizen Soldiers'' allows them to continue their invaluable service 
to our country.
  Each year Guard and Reserve members and their families nominate 
employers who have gone above and beyond in their support of military 
employees. This year, Sheriff Andy Brown and the Jackson Parish 
Sheriff's Department in Jonesboro, LA, have been selected as one of the 
15 employers to receive the 2009 Secretary of Defense Employer Support 
Freedom Award. This award is the highest recognition given by the U.S. 
Government to employers for their outstanding support of employees who 
serve in the National Guard and Reserve. As an added honor, Sheriff 
Brown has been selected as one of the attendees to speak on behalf of 
these 15 recipients at the 14th Annual Awards Ceremony on September 17.
  The Jackson Parish Sheriff's Department led by Sheriff Andy Brown was 
selected out of more than 3,200 nominees from across the Nation. 
Sheriff Brown and his employees went beyond the call of duty to extend 
employment support to employees who have volunteered to serve in our 
Nation's Armed Forces.
  The Jackson Parish Sheriff's department employs seven part-time 
servicemembers. Among the benefits that the Jackson Parish Sheriff's 
department provides its National Guard and Reserve employees is full 
pay for servicemembers called away on duty for more than 12 months. The 
department also provides continuous health care, dental, and life 
insurance benefits to ensure coverage and support for servicemembers' 
families while the member is on active duty.
  Sheriff Brown has fostered a supportive work environment for 
servicemembers by requiring every supervisor and employee in his 
department to thoroughly understand and implement the servicemember 
rights outlined in the Uniform Services Employment and Reemployment 
Act. His positive attitude and accommodation for our citizen soldiers 
demonstrates an unwavering support that exemplifies the spirit of the 
Employer Support Freedom Award.
  I offer my heartfelt thanks and congratulations to Sheriff Brown and 
the entire Jackson Parish Sherriff's Department. The Employer Support 
Freedom Award is a tremendous honor and a fitting recognition of 
Sheriff Brown's commitment to our troops and his service to Louisiana 
and our Nation.

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