[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 157 (2011), Part 9]
[House]
[Page 12024]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




RECOGNIZING FINALISTS OF SECRETARY OF DEFENSE EMPLOYER SUPPORT FREEDOM 
                                 AWARD

  (Mr. CICILLINE asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute.)
  Mr. CICILLINE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize three employers 
in Rhode Island that are honoring and supporting the brave men and 
women serving our great country in the armed services.
  These include Amica Mutual Insurance of Lincoln, Rhode Island; 
Banneker Industries of North Smithfield; and the Woonsocket Middle 
School. These Rhode Island employers have received national recognition 
as finalists and semifinalists for the Secretary of Defense Employer 
Support Freedom Award and were selected for this honor from a pool of 
4,000 nominations.
  This award is the Department of Defense's highest recognition of 
employers for the extraordinary support they provide to our National 
Guard and Reserve members and their families. The Freedom Award is 
especially significant because nearly half of our Nation's military is 
currently comprised of Guard members and Reservists.
  These men and women have put their lives on the line because our 
country asked them to. Because of their service, we're able to enjoy 
the freedoms that we have here at home. We owe those serving our 
country, our veterans, and their families our utmost gratitude and 
respect for their great sacrifices on our behalf.
  I commend our Rhode Island businesses who recognize the sacrifices of 
our servicemen and -women and their families.

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