[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 8]
[Senate]
[Page 10465]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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                   CITIZENS BANK DOES THE RIGHT THING

 Mr. KENNEDY. Mr. President, I welcome this opportunity to 
commend Citizens Bank for the strong support it is giving to its 
employees who have been called up for active duty in connection with 
the Nation's military deployments in Iraq.
  Many of us in Congress continue to be concerned that many members of 
the National Guard and Reserves have been activated with too little of 
this needed support, or even none at all. We have introduced 
legislation, S. 647, to deal with these urgent problems for all 
activated Guard and Reserve members and their families.
  Citizens Bank deserves credit for strengthening its personnel 
policies to support its brave men and women called to serve. 
Unfortunately, too many Guard and Reserve families are not as 
fortunate, and I hope Congress will act quickly to provide this needed 
relief.
  I ask that a statement by Citizens on February 10 announcing its 
impressive policy may be printed in the Record.
  The Statement follows.

Citizens Financial Group, Inc. Enhances Military Leave Policy, February 
                                10, 2003

       Citizens Financial Group, Inc. announced today is has 
     enhanced the company's existing military leave policy to 
     offer additional support to any employee/reservist activated 
     during Operation Enduring Freedom.
       ``These are difficult and uncertain times in our nation. 
     The current situation in the Persian Gulf has made real the 
     possibility that Citizens' colleagues or family members may 
     be called to serve their country,'' said Lawrence K. Fish, 
     Chairman, President & CEO.
       ``We are concerned about our employees and providing 
     benefits that match their needs,'' said Fish. ``We hope it 
     won't be necessary for employees to use these benefits, but 
     we are offering the support in the event it is needed.''
       In its new military leave policy, Citizens Bank will: Pay 
     the difference between employees' Citizens pay and the 
     military pay for the duration of the active duty. This 
     benefit is currently only available for the annual summer 
     camp; offer the continuance of medical, dental, vision and 
     life insurance coverage; and provide a comparable job upon 
     return.
       Citizens will also offer support to employees whose spouse, 
     domestic partner or child is called to duty. Citizens will 
     grant a paid leave of absence for five consecutive days to 
     coincide with an in-service leave by the family member. If 
     travel is necessary, Citizens will also pay a portion of 
     their travel expenses.
       Citizens Financial Group, Inc. is a $56.5 billion 
     commercial bank holding company headquartered in Providence, 
     RI. It is one of the nation's 20 largest commercial banks 
     with 850 Citizens Bank branches, more than 1,700 ATMs and 
     more than 15,000 employees in seven New England and Mid-
     Atlantic states. It operates as Citizens Bank in Connecticut, 
     Delaware, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, 
     Pennsylvania and Rhode Island. Citizens is owned by The Royal 
     Bank of Scotland Group plc.

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