[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 14]
[Senate]
[Page 19705]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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                  CONGRATULATING COASTAL WINDOWS, INC.

 Mr. AKAKA. Mr. President, I want to take this opportunity to 
congratulate the owners and employees of Coastal Windows, Inc., a 
family owned and operated business on Oahu and one of this year's 
recipients of the 2008 Freedom Awards presented by the Secretary of 
Defense and the National Committee for Employer Support of the Guard 
and Reserve.
  Coastal Windows began their business in response to Hawaii's need for 
windows and doors that could endure the harsh environmental climate of 
the State's Sun, wind, rain, and salt air. They have been in operation 
for nearly 20 years and in that time have grown to an organization 
consisting of 62 employees. They are known for treating their employees 
as part of their ``ohana'' or family and are proud members of the 
community.
  The manner in which they take care of their employees who also serve 
in our Nation's Armed Forces should inspire all of us here in Congress 
and across this Nation. Take for example their employee U.S. Army 
sergeant Mike Echiverri, who is about to be deployed for the third time 
as a member of the National Guard. During his absence, Coastal Windows 
maintains all his benefits, including health, dental, vision, and his 
retirement plans. He also continues to earn sick leave and vacation 
time, and he is given additional time off to spend with his family 
before and after each deployment. Coastal Windows also often sends care 
packages to deployed employees and maintains regular communication via 
e-mail. The company also extends its support to family members of 
deployed employees by staying in constant contact with the family 
members and ensuring that spouses are invited to social events.
  Coastal Windows became actively involved with the Department of 
Defense's Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve, ESGR, program 
after its vice president, Bob Barrett, learned of the organization's 
efforts to promote cooperation and understanding between Reserve 
members and their civilian employers. Mr. Barrett became an ESGR 
employer outreach volunteer and works with ESGR Hawaii to educate 
employers about the benefits of hiring Guard and Reserve members. 
Coastal Windows also supports the military community by participating 
in activities like the Marine Corps' Toys for Tots program.
  As 1 of only 15 companies nationwide to receive this honor, I 
congratulate Coastal Windows, and Mr. Bob Barrett in particular, for 
their dedication to their workers and for their selection as a Freedom 
Award recipient for 2008. They have set the standard in Hawaii as an 
example of how the community can take care of our soldiers, sailors, 
airmen, and marines and their families and make a direct contribution 
to the national security of the United States. I salute them for their 
outstanding service and wish them continued success in the years to 
come.

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