[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 118 (Friday, August 3, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1397]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  RECOGNIZING THE PORT OF SEATTLE FOR RECEIVING THE 2012 SECRETARY OF 
                 DEFENSE EMPLOYER SUPPORT FREEDOM AWARD

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                            HON. ADAM SMITH

                             of washington

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, August 2, 2012

  Mr. SMITH of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the Port of 
Seattle for receiving the 2012 Secretary of Defense Employer Support 
Freedom Award. The Port of Seattle is one of just fifteen employers 
across the country to receive this honor.
  Each year, the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve, an agency 
of the Department of Defense, awards employers with their annual 
Freedom Award. This is the Department of Defense's highest recognition 
awarded to employers for their exceptional support of Guard and Reserve 
employees. More than 3,000 nominations from Guardsmen and Reservists, 
or their family members on their behalf, were submitted and the Port of 
Seattle distinguished themselves among all the nominees.
  A Naval Reservist nominated the Port of Seattle because of the Port's 
focus on hiring military members and veterans, as well as for their 
participation in the military's Transition Assistance Program. Twenty 
percent of the Port's employees have served in the military and the 
Port has started a fellowship program to help returning service members 
transition from active duty to the civilian workforce. The Port of 
Seattle's efforts at employing Guardsmen and Reservists serves as a 
model for other port districts that are establishing programs to hire 
more service members.
  Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I honor the Port of 
Seattle for their superb treatment of Guard and Reserve employees. The 
Defense Employer Support Freedom Award is a well-deserved honor.

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