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Washington, D.C. - Congressman Randy Neugebauer (TX-19) is pleased to announce that he will be joining the City of Abilene, Workforce Solutions of West Central Texas, the Abilene Independent School District, and the Abilene Chamber of Commerce in signing the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) 5 Star Statement of Support. The signing ceremony will be held at 9:00am on March 26th at the Abilene Civic Center.
“I salute any employer who has members of the Guard or Reserve on their staff to stand behind this Statement of Support, as it solidifies your commitment to our men and women in uniform,” Neugebauer said. “Additionally, it is my hope that employers hire those who are already service members, displaying their commitment to our members of the armed services who sacrifice so much for this nation.”
The nation's Reserve components make up nearly 48 percent of our current total manpower. Our current National Defense Strategy points out that the National Guard and Reserve will be unified partners in the fully integrated Total Force. As such, our nation’s Reserve forces will spend more time away from the workplace defending freedom and liberty abroad, supporting a demanding operations tempo and training to maintain mission readiness.
In this environment, civilian employers play a critical role in the defense of the nation by complying with existing employment laws protecting the rights of workers who serve in the Reserve component.
By signing this statement, Abilene’s employers can formally recognize the importance of the National Guard and Reserves to our Country’s National Defense. By doing so, they also show their support and dedication to their current and future employees. Commitment to this program ensures:
· Employment will not be denied because of service in the Guard or Reserve
· Employee job and career opportunities will not be limited or reduced because of service in the Guard or Reserve.
· Employee will be granted leaves of absence for military service in the Guard or Reserve, consistent with existing laws, without sacrifice of vacation, and
· This agreement and its resulting policies will be made known throughout our organization.
“The Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve is a valuable program run by the Department of Defense, and is critical during this important time in our nation’s history, and for its future, as we prepare for the emerging threats of the 21st century. For more information on the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) 5 Star Statement of Support, please visit www.esgr.org, if you would like to participate in this program, please call my Abilene district office at (325) 675-9775,” Neugebauer concluded.
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