[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 162 (2016), Part 9]
[Senate]
[Page 12485]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                   RECOGNIZING THE IDAHO STATE POLICE

 Mr. CRAPO. Mr. President, my colleague Senator Jim Risch joins 
me today in honoring the Idaho State Police, ISP, of Meridian, ID, for 
being selected as a recipient of the 2016 Secretary of Defense Employer 
Support Freedom Award, known as the Freedom Award.
  The U.S. Department of Defense indicates that the Freedom Award is 
the highest recognition it gives to employers for ``exceptional support 
of their National Guard and Reserve employees.'' The ISP is one of only 
15 employers chosen this year for this national recognition out of the 
2,424 nominations submitted by National Guard and Reserve 
Servicemembers. U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter stated, ``Without the 
unfaltering support of employers like them, the men and women of the 
National Guard and Reserve would not be able to fulfill their vital 
roles in our National Security Strategy.'' The Freedom Award has been 
given to 220 employers over the past 20 years.
  Guard and Reserve members or their family members nominate employers 
for the Freedom Award. This makes the award especially meaningful, as 
nominators have direct knowledge of their treatment at work. The 
Department reported that Army National Guard Sgt. Sara Breckon, who 
suffered a concussion during Active-Duty training, nominated the ISP 
for this year's award. She described to the Department how her 
supervisor went the extra mile working with her medical team to assist 
with her progressive return to work, successful therapy, and recovery. 
Her coworkers also assisted by donating 80 hours of personal leave so 
she could receive her pay. Sergeant Breckon told the department, ``It 
is a privilege to work for ISP as they set the bar for all leaders in 
the military and civilian sectors.''
  The Department of Defense also noted that the Idaho State Police 
actively recruits Guardsmen and Reservists through the Hero2Hired 
program, and 18 percent of the Idaho State Police workforce has served 
or is serving in the U.S. Armed Forces. The ISP joins a group of four 
Idaho employers selected for the award since the Freedom Award was 
established.
  Being recognized as a great employer of Guardsmen and women and 
Reservists is a distinct accomplishment. We commend the Idaho State 
Police for setting a model leadership standard. The men and women who 
serve in the Guard and Reserve and their families give immensely of 
their time and talents to serving our Nation. Their skills and 
commitment add great value to the workforce and our communities. This 
award is a tribute to the excellent treatment and regard Idaho 
employers have demonstrated to valued members of our communities. 
Congratulations to the Idaho State Police on this achievement.

                          ____________________