[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 9]
[Senate]
[Page 12232]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                  CONGRATULATING JONES METAL PRODUCTS

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. GIL GUTKNECHT

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 20, 2006

  Mr. GUTKNECHT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Jones Metal 
Products of Mankato, Minnesota, on receiving the National Committee for 
Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve's Above and Beyond award.
  The National Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve, 
ESGR, was established in 1972 to promote cooperation and understanding 
between Reserve component members and their civilian employers. Their 
mission is to continuously gain and maintain active support from all 
public and private employers for the men and women of the National 
Guard and Reserve. Local and national representatives stand ready to 
help employers understand federal laws that affect the call-up of their 
employees. The Above and Beyond award recognizes those who have gone 
beyond what federal law requires for supporting activated Guard 
employees.
  Minnesota businesses that employ Guard members are an essential link 
in family support for deployed service members. The state of Minnesota 
is recognized as a leader among those employing Guard and Reserve 
members and received the 2004 Secretary of Defense Employer Support 
Freedom Award.
  Jones Metal Products, one of 475 companies nominated for the Above 
and Beyond award, was nominated by Staff Sgt. Juan Berrones. While 
Staff Sgt. Berrones was deployed to Iraq, Jones Metal Products provided 
him pay raises, two bonuses and showed continuous support to his 
family.
  I extend my sincere congratulations to Jones Metal Products for 
receiving the Above and Beyond Award from the National Committee for 
Employer Support of Guard and Reserve and commend them for the 
extraordinary services provided to those who serve our country.

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